❓ Question regarding errors in time in lieu and public holiday payments to nurses since 2008. The Minister acknowledges errors, details the scope, rectification process involving the ANF and DoH, the cause of errors, how they were uncovered, and communication with affected staff.
AnsweredQoN 4395Legislative Assembly
Asked
22 November 2018
Member
Portfolio
Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Mental Health
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the payment of time in lieu and public holidays to nurses since 2008, and I ask: (a) is the Minister aware of any errors made in the payment of time in lieu and public holidays to nurses since 2008: (i) if yes to (a), what errors were made: (A) how much was either over-paid or under-paid; (ii) if yes to (a), what is being done to rectify those errors: (A) was the Australian Nursing Federation involved in discussion around how to rectify the errors; (B) was the Department of Health involved in discussion around how to rectify the errors; (iii) if yes to (a), how did the error(s) arise; (iv) if yes to (a), how were the errors uncovered; and (v) if yes to (a), how have the error and the steps taken to rectify the error been communicated to affected staff?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 February 2019
Response time
7 days
I am advised:
(a) Errors relate to the incorrect accrual of hours in respect of time off in lieu of public holidays.
(i) Employees engaged pursuant to the WA Health System – Australian Nursing Federation – Registered Nurses, Midwives, Enrolled (Mental Health) and Enrolled (Mothercraft) Nurses – Industrial Agreement 2016 (ANF Agreement) were not receiving the correct entitlement to time off in lieu of public holidays.
(A) As per (a), this issue relates to the accrual of hours in respect of time off in lieu of public holidays. Approximately 75,000 hours were over accrued by 4,875 employees (resulting in a negative adjustment). Approximately 189,000 hours were under accrued by 6,917 employees (resulting in a positive adjustment).
(ii) Individual employee entitlements were initially adjusted based on positive and negative accrual variances identified from an audit.
(A) On 4 October 2018, the Department of Health (DOH) contacted the Australian Nursing Federation, Industrial Union of Workers Perth (ANF) and advised of the intent to adjust accruals - both positive and negative accrual variances - the associated timing and options available to employees to seek further information prior to adjustments being made. For the past two months, the ANF, HSS and DOH have been working together to put in a place an agreed process to rectify the errors.
(B)Yes.
(iii) The errors were due to an inconsistent interpretation of the ANF Agreement, varying management practices and payroll system configurations.
(iv) WA Country Health Service representatives identified that a number of employees engaged under the ANF Agreement may not have been receiving the correct entitlement in respect of time off in lieu of public holidays and requested an audit, which was subsequently undertaken.
(v) On 3 October 2018 Health Support Services (HSS) wrote to all affected employees advising of the issue and the steps that would be undertaken. On 26 October 2018 a further letter was sent to those employees who had over-accrued more than 14 hours. Commencing on 29 October 2018, phone calls were made and follow-up emails sent to employees who had over-accrued more than 54 hours. Updated balances were reflected in employee payslips on 31 October 2018 and 1 November 2018 which was accompanied by a detailed Frequently Asked Questions flyer.
In consultation with the ANF, HSS has recently provided further information to employees including a detailed audit summary to illustrate the accuracy of any adjustments.
(a) Errors relate to the incorrect accrual of hours in respect of time off in lieu of public holidays.
(i) Employees engaged pursuant to the WA Health System – Australian Nursing Federation – Registered Nurses, Midwives, Enrolled (Mental Health) and Enrolled (Mothercraft) Nurses – Industrial Agreement 2016 (ANF Agreement) were not receiving the correct entitlement to time off in lieu of public holidays.
(A) As per (a), this issue relates to the accrual of hours in respect of time off in lieu of public holidays. Approximately 75,000 hours were over accrued by 4,875 employees (resulting in a negative adjustment). Approximately 189,000 hours were under accrued by 6,917 employees (resulting in a positive adjustment).
(ii) Individual employee entitlements were initially adjusted based on positive and negative accrual variances identified from an audit.
(A) On 4 October 2018, the Department of Health (DOH) contacted the Australian Nursing Federation, Industrial Union of Workers Perth (ANF) and advised of the intent to adjust accruals - both positive and negative accrual variances - the associated timing and options available to employees to seek further information prior to adjustments being made. For the past two months, the ANF, HSS and DOH have been working together to put in a place an agreed process to rectify the errors.
(B)Yes.
(iii) The errors were due to an inconsistent interpretation of the ANF Agreement, varying management practices and payroll system configurations.
(iv) WA Country Health Service representatives identified that a number of employees engaged under the ANF Agreement may not have been receiving the correct entitlement in respect of time off in lieu of public holidays and requested an audit, which was subsequently undertaken.
(v) On 3 October 2018 Health Support Services (HSS) wrote to all affected employees advising of the issue and the steps that would be undertaken. On 26 October 2018 a further letter was sent to those employees who had over-accrued more than 14 hours. Commencing on 29 October 2018, phone calls were made and follow-up emails sent to employees who had over-accrued more than 54 hours. Updated balances were reflected in employee payslips on 31 October 2018 and 1 November 2018 which was accompanied by a detailed Frequently Asked Questions flyer.
In consultation with the ANF, HSS has recently provided further information to employees including a detailed audit summary to illustrate the accuracy of any adjustments.
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