Workers at one of Australia\u2019s largest utility companies have been left out of pocket and \u201cfreaking out\u201d after a payroll blunder left hundreds without their wages.<\/p>\n
At the beginning of July, Sydney Water transferred its payroll services to a new system called Dayforce, in a move that left workers fearing an unsmooth transition.<\/p>\n
Workers say they were first due to be paid under the new system on Tuesday last week, with staff paid fortnightly.<\/p>\n
However, some were underpaid, others were overpaid, some paid late and even others not at all.<\/p>\n
Others have received incorrect super contributions and had difficulties marking rostered days off in the system.<\/p>\n
One worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said the uncertainty was taking a huge toll on the company\u2019s workforce.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all freaking out with worry, there is mass-level anxiety,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have had colleagues on the phone to me in tears at 2am worrying about whether they will be able to make alimony payments to be able to see their kids.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all stressing about whether we\u2019ll be able to pay our rents, our mortgages, feed our children.\u201d<\/p>\n
The debacle has prompted the Australian Services Union to lodge an application with the Fair Work Commission demanding the provider either fix its new system or return to the old one until the transition is smoothed out.<\/p>\n
\u201cNobody should have to come to work fearing whether they will be able to pay their bills,\u201d the production worker added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it came in, there was little to no training on how to use the [Dayforce] app and it feels as though nobody is really taking responsibility for what has gone wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n
ASU secretary for NSW Angus McFarland said the union had warned the company that the software \u201ccould not cope with the complexity of a 24\/7 workforce\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHundreds of workers at Sydney Water have been short-changed or received their pay late, because (Sydney Water) refused to acknowledge problems flagged during the testing of the new payroll system.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur union warned Sydney Water not to switch to this botched software because tests proved it was not ready to be implemented.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn one of the world\u2019s most expensive cities, working people are living week-to-week, and rely on their pay going into their account in full and on time.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter this payroll disaster, no one is confident the problems are resolved.\u201d<\/p>\n
The worker said that communication from Sydney Water about the bungle had been extremely limited, with the issue not addressed fully until Friday.<\/p>\n
In an email sent to staff \u2013 and seen by NewsWire \u2013 Sydney Water admitted the transition \u201chad not gone as we planned\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has created uncertainty about pay outcomes, and additional stress at a time when you rightly expect confidence and clarity,\u201d the email said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the impact this has had on our people, I apologise.\u201d<\/p>\n
The email acknowledged the disruption and frustration of the workers following the launch, but warned the resolution will \u201ctake some time\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile significant work has already been undertaken to address issues as they arise, I want to be transparent that there may continue to be challenges as we stabilise and optimise the Dayforce platform and adjust to the changes to our ways of working that are associated with it,\u201d the email added.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are fully committed to resolving issues, learning from feedback and continuously improving the experience for our employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, resolving all issues will take some time.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesman for Sydney Water said the change had been made because legacy systems \u201cno longer met\u201d requirements and that the firm was working to address issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cSydney Water recognises that some employees have experienced payroll issues following the implementation of our new Dayforce system and we sincerely apologise to those affected,\u201d the spokesman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing paid correctly and on time is a fundamental expectation and our priority is resolving these issues as quickly as possible and ensuring affected employees receive the support they need.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs with many large-scale technology transitions, issues have emerged as the system has been embedded. We are aware of payroll processing issues affecting some employees and are working directly with those impacted to rectify them as a matter of urgency.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe acknowledge the concerns raised by the ASU and are committed to working constructively with employees and unions.\u201d<\/p>\n