CDU to rectify casual staff payments

Charles Darwin University (CDU) has launched an internal review to identify casual staff affected by payment practices.

CDU has identified an issue in relation to the administration of casual staff payments, which means some staff may have been underpaid.

The payment issues do not affect full-time, part-time or fixed-term staff who work at the University.

The University is now conducting a comprehensive review of all payments to casual staff back to February 2016.

Any underpayments for existing or former casual staff identified in the review will be fully rectified. Applicable superannuation will be applied and interest at five per cent will be added on any underpayments.

To fully address any issues that are identified, the review process is expected to take up to 12 months to complete. The University is working towards understanding the number of staff impacted as a part of the review process.

CDU is implementing additional measures to make sure its casual staff are paid correctly, including investing in a new payroll system, reviewing its operating procedures, and engaging additional staff.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman said the University deeply regrets any unintended underpayments to its staff.

“Our staff are incredibly important to us and we really value the contribution they make to the University and they should be paid fairly and appropriately in line with their entitlements,” Professor Bowman said.

“We are deeply sorry, and we are correcting the situation as quickly as possible. We will ensure we re-commit to paying our staff in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and relevant legislation into the future.”

Staff and stakeholders will be kept informed by CDU as the review progresses.

The University has briefed the Fair Work Ombudsman and the National Tertiary Education Union NT Division and other unions representing staff at the University about the matter and will complete the review process to ensure that CDU’s ongoing processes and systems are rigorous and fully compliant.

The University will contact any current and former staff found to have been underpaid through the review.

Any staff who wish to contact CDU in relation to the review process or if they have any concerns or questions are encouraged to contact CDU at casualsalaryreview@cdu.edu.au