Griffith University in Queensland has entered into a binding agreement to reimburse over $8 million to more than 5,400 underpaid staff, including academics and support personnel, dating back to 2015. The underpayments, which ranged from negligible amounts to over $92,400, were found to be due to multiple issues such as inadequate training, payroll errors, and deficiencies in data management processes.
The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) discovered that many staff members were not properly compensated for their duties, including tutorial sessions and coordination roles, while fitness staff were denied meal and split shift allowances. Following an investigation, Griffith University voluntarily reported these breaches and has since committed to paying $8.34 million in back payments.
FWO Anna Booth commented that the university’s self-reporting of these violations highlights the critical need for employers to maintain robust systems to ensure compliance with workplace regulations. She noted that Griffith University is the sixth institution to face such scrutiny for underpayments, reinforcing the expectation that universities adhere to their legal obligations detailed in their enterprise agreements and applicable awards.