Dear staff,
I am writing to advise staff about the outcome of a pay review initiated in October 2021 and the actions taken as part of this to further strengthen our pay systems and processes.
The University commenced this external review to ensure our staff are paid accurately and in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement (EA) applicable at the time.
While staff were paid for the time they worked, the review identified 2 areas of our EA were not always correctly applied. These relate to the minimum hours of engagement for casual academic and casual professional staff and the use of a different pay rate for casual academic staff with a relevant PhD.
As a result, the University has determined that over a 7-year period (January 2017 to December 2023), an amount of $7.88 million (excluding superannuation and interest) should have been paid to 9743 staff. The median amount to be paid is $243.03.
I unreservedly apologise to those staff who have been affected by these errors – they should not have happened. I want to assure our community that affected staff will receive all the pay due, including superannuation and interest for the relevant period.
This week, we are writing individually to affected current staff outlining the payment due, with these payments to commence from 14 June.
We will also be writing individually to affected former staff outlining the payment due and the process for remediation.
A comprehensive program is underway to upgrade our systems and processes to further ensure ongoing pay accuracy. Actions being taken include the introduction of a whole-of-UQ timesheet system, compulsory training for managers and staff and additional fortnightly payroll reporting.
We are also investing further in our HR systems, with new time and attendance and payroll systems planned.
Throughout this process we have worked closely with the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman and have advised them of these outcomes.
Again, I apologise that this has occurred and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring staff are appropriately and accurately paid for the work they do on behalf of the University.
Best wishes
Debbie
