We’ve had many calls and emails about unpaid wages, allowances, and overtime in the most recent pay periods. This is unacceptable and we want to talk with the department about why this is becoming a new ‘normal problem’.
 
Formal pay day is Thursday, and part II clause 3 of your award discusses awaiting for wages penalty:  
 
(d)An employee kept waiting for their wages on a normal pay day for more than a quarter of an hour after the usual time for ceasing work is to be paid at overtime rates after that quarter of an hour, with a minimum of a quarter of an hour. Provided that no penalty for late payment will apply where payment of wages is delayed by reasons beyond the employer’s control.
 
Issues ‘beyond the employer’s control’ are things like internal or external bank delays. Claiming that AT did it right but DOH made an error isn’t a valid excuse because DOH is your employer. But don’t fight with payroll clerks, take it to your RM as they are your boss holding the delegations.
 
They’ve previously said you’re not ‘kept waiting’ unless you’ve said so, and that if they’re not aware of an error you shouldn’t get the penalty, so be sure to do these three things to prove you are waiting:

1. Ensure your pay paperwork - timesheets, evidence of sick leave etc – is completed correctly and submitted on time.
2. As soon as possible before the relevant Thursday payday tell your Regional Manager you haven’t been paid correctly, your payslip looks light, or you haven’t received your payslip.
3. Remind your RM you haven’t been paid on “Payday Thursday at or about 5pm” and that you are ‘waiting for wages’ as per the Ambulance Award.

For example:

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On a Tuesday before payday – “Dear xx, I am missing OT regarding 15/1/22 in my pay this week can this be rectified by COB Thursday please.”

From Thursday at 5pm - “Dear xx, I still haven’t received my OT payment regarding 15/1/22, I am now “waiting for wages” to be paid.”

Any time you have concerns about not being paid correctly you can contact us at assist@hacsu.org.au.