Glasgow City Council Workers Ordered to Repay £40,000 After Payroll Error
Five Glasgow City Council refuse staff have been instructed to repay a total of £40,000 after a payroll error resulted in them receiving extra wages over several years. The overpayments, related to contractual overtime, were discovered during a recent internal audit.
The Payroll Error and Its Impact
The error, which affected five workers, involved accidental overpayments for contractual overtime on a monthly basis. In some cases, the mistakes stretch back up to four years, with one individual estimated to have received approximately £15,000 extra. The GMB union is raising concerns about the financial pressure being placed on the workers due to the repayment plan.
Repayment Plans and Union Concerns
The repayment plans require the affected workers to pay back between £40 and £70 per month. Chris Mitchell, the GMB convenor for Glasgow's cleansing and refuse workers, expressed his concerns, stating that £70 a month is a significant amount for many of his members. He highlighted that the error was made by the council's payroll department and that it is unfair to burden low-paid workers with financial stress.
"£70 a month is a big deal for a lot of our workers. We're not earning a lot and this has come right out the blue. It is a lot of pressure on these people," said Chris Mitchell.
Mitchell also criticized the council's payroll system, stating that payslips are difficult to understand, making it hard for workers to identify discrepancies. He further added that he had previously raised concerns regarding payments and is frustrated that the payroll system has not been improved.
Council's Response and Legal Framework
The Employment Rights Act of 1996 allows employers to deduct overpayments resulting from mistakes from an employee's wages, provided strict protocols are followed. This includes giving notice and establishing a manageable repayment plan. Glasgow City Council has faced financial pressures in recent years, leading to various cost-saving measures.
A council spokesman stated: "We don't discuss personal matters that relate to individual cases, however, when overpayments come to light, we engage with staff to agree an appropriate and manageable repayment plan." The council maintains they are working with staff to find a resolution.
Calls for a Fair Resolution
Chris Mitchell is urging Glasgow City Council to collaborate with the affected staff to find a reasonable and fair repayment plan. He stressed that the workers acknowledged the need to repay the money, but that repayment should not cause undue financial hardship, especially considering the payroll department's role in the error.
Union representatives have also drawn comparisons to situations involving senior council staff who negotiated retirement deals without consulting councillors, suggesting a disparity in how such financial matters are handled within the council.
