ERRORS in allowances for casual staff and supervisors at the University of Newcastle will cost more than $6 million to rectify, the university has revealed.
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The university's payroll review with accounting firm PwC has concluded after looking at 1.7 million pay slips issued between February 2014 and August this year.
The audit found 7171 people were affected by the problems, which have been attributed to how workers sought or recorded overtime, span of hours, minimum engagement and meal allowance provisions.
University of Newcastle vice chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky said "some staff were overpaid and some staff were underpaid" in the period, which was reviewed after the university self-reported to the Fair Work Ombudsman.
"We will not seek repayments from anyone who has a net overpayment," Professor Zelinsky said.
"As soon as we became aware of problems, we acted and put in place an institution-wide review.
"I apologise for these errors and any concern they have caused. Making sure people are paid correctly is fundamental to our operations."
Staff owed money will be reimbursed plus interest, the university said. Those payments are due to arrive in their usual pay accounts on Thursday.
The university has allocated approximately $6.29 million for the remediation costs in its 2020 financial forecasts, a figure the university said represents 0.24 per cent of its total payroll costs.
Former staff who were affected will be notified by email later this month, as well as receiving letters at their most recent residential address.
A payroll review contact centre will run from 9am to 4pm on weekdays. It can be reached on 4921 5599 or via payroll.review@newcastle.edu.au