IMPORTANT ISSUE RE FEBRUARY PAY FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE WORKERS

UNISON is aware that the Health and Social Care (HSC) workforce have been receiving communications from their employers informing them that there is an urgent issue with February pay. This will impact payment of enhancements, such as additional hours and overtime, and payment for bank shifts for work undertaken by staff in the last several days of January.

Employers are informing the workforce that where staff would be due enhancements or undertake bank work in the last several days of January, they will not receive payment for this until March. UNISON have been informed that this will not impact on those paid weekly or fortnightly. The number of days at the end of January affected are different depending upon whether workers have shifts processed via timesheet or roster. Members should consider the communication received from their employer carefully to see how they may be impacted.

UNISON has expressed our significant disappointment and concern at this situation directly to the Department of Health and employers. Employers have stated that this issue relates to earlier submission dates for rosters and timesheets in January to implement the long-awaited Agenda for Change pay uplift in February, alongside payment of the backpay the workforce is owed.

Whilst the workforce remains due to receive their pay uplift and backpay in February, UNISON has been clear that this situation impacting enhancements and bank payments is not acceptable. We have highlighted to the Department and employers that this will cause serious frustration and these developments once again show the problems that are caused when there are delays in putting pay uplifts in place. Employers have stated that there will be mechanisms put in place to support those who may experience financial hardship as a result of this issue.

If members require further advice with issues arising from this situation, contact your UNISON branch for support.