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Summer 2004

Linda stands up for her rights

HACSU member, Linda Mason, recently received thousands of dollars in back pay after being shortchanged whilst on workers’ compensation.

Linda, who works at an aged care facility, was receiving only a little over $200 a week and queried the amount with her employer.

The employer's response was that there was only a requirement to pay 20 hours at the base rate, an assertion about as factual as a Walt Disney cartoon.

Not to be put off, Linda followed up her query with QBE and the rehab provider, to be told she should have been receiving around $461 a week.

Linda then approached her employer seeking back pay, with a claim for around $2,600.

After some discussion, the employer quoted "human error" as reason for underpayment, and agreed to
make good the back pay amount.

It is understood that other workers at the site are similarly affected.

HACSU head office advises all members to always check their pay packets regularly, particularly if they are on workers' compensation, an area where underpayments seem to be a regular thing.