Failure to pay NCHDs exacerbates industrial relations dispute

 

NCHDs around the country are encountering problems getting any or correct payment following relocation to new hospitals as part of their training regime.

 

 

Sunday 7th August 2022.   The IMO has warned that there are persistent, ongoing payroll issues which are leading to NCHDs struggling to get paid, getting paid on the wrong scale or not getting paid for all hours worked.  In the case of some new NCHDs, “not getting paid” is their first experience of working with the HSE. 

 

The payroll issue has arisen in recent weeks as NCHDs have undertaken one of their six-monthly moves from one hospital to another and new Interns have come into the system.  Despite the fact that NCHDs work in HSE or HSE funded hospitals,  each hospital runs its own payroll system meaning that each hospital treats the newly arriving NCHD as a new employee subjecting them to emergency tax,  delays in receiving payment and other problems.  The root of this problem is the lack of a centralised pay system and the consequences of this on individual employees are unacceptable. 

 

Dr. John Cannon, Chairman of the NCHD Committee said that the payroll issue was an example of the lack of value and respect the system shows NCHDs; “No effort is made to pay NCHDs immediately when the error is identified and they invariably have to wait until the next payroll run for any adjustments to be made;  leaving them with no funds to pay for rent or living expenses.  And this at a time  when they have had to take on the expenses of moving to another part of the country very often having to pay rent in two locations at the same time and moving themselves away from family.”

 

The payroll issue is one of the key issues in the #standingup4nchd campaign.  Other issues include unsafe working hours, difficulties in getting leave and inadequate supports for training

 

As part of that campaign NCHDs voted (97%) in favour of industrial action up to and including strike action.