QNU’s focus remains on solving problems and finding low-stress solutions for staff
Published: 7 November 2011
Queensland Health payroll system issues update
The Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) will continue to work on solutions to the problems affecting its members, caused by Queensland Health payroll system problems, and it will not allow that approach to be distracted by arguments over some aspects of how overpayments should be dealt with, the QNU’s secretary, Beth Mohle, said today.
Ms Mohle said, as an IT and management systems failure, this was always an issue that required diligent attention to solutions rather than just sticking your head in the sand or pointing fingers.
“Everyone, including those responsible for the new payroll’s implementation, knows this was a major systems’ failure, so there is little point crying over spilt milk. Our job is to mop up the milk and refill the glass. That has been the QNU’s approach from day one and that remains our approach.
“I can report that rectifying underpayments to nurses, midwives and other Queensland Health staff continues to be the priority for Queensland Health. When underpayments occur, and some still do, I am now satisfied that Queensland Health, as agreed with the QNU, is addressing most of them immediately and by the following pay cycle at the latest, or with ad hoc payments where necessary.
“A process for handling individual historical underpayment cases is also currently being trialled at the Princess Alexandra and Prince Charles Hospitals, before being rolled out across the State. QNU officials are urging members at those two hospitals, with historical underpayment issues, to use the trial to get them sorted out.
“The other three agreed parts of the five-point ‘Heads of Agreement – Improving the Confidence in the QH Payroll System’, between Queensland Health and the unions representing its employees, continue to operate. These are:
- the moratorium on the recovery of previously notified overpayments;
- appointment of an independent and external Workplace Ombudsman to handle payroll complaints; and
- increased resources for Nurse Unit Managers and Line Managers, dealing with payroll issues.
“The Queensland Industrial Relations Commission also continues to have oversight of this whole issue.
“However, the reality is, the issue of overpayments is going to have to be addressed at some point and the QNU is committed to an equitable process for eventually recovering those overpayments. It is also committed to ensuring that nurses and midwives don’t build up excessive overpayment debts.
“We do need a process for quickly rectifying any new overpayments quickly so staff do not have an unacceptable debt build-up. The QNU is working with its members and Queensland Health to find a suitable way to do this for nurses and midwives, who are our principal concern.
“Historical overpayments, including those accrued during the early stages of the payroll problems, are another issue altogether. The QNU will ensure great care is taken in dealing with that issue. We will never tolerate undue financial strain being put on any of our members in that situation,” Ms Mohle said.
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