Tasmania’s Health Department is trying to recoup a COVID bonus from staff it claims have been ineligible for it and have been paid by mistake, however a union is urging the workers to maintain maintain of the cash.

The authorities introduced $2,000 can be paid to well being workers in instalments on a pro-rata foundation in recognition of their work throughout the pandemic, with broader public sector pay negotiations ongoing.

But an administration blunder has seen workers in 9 areas begin to obtain the cost regardless of being deemed ineligible, together with staff in Ambulance Tasmania communications, and a few in public well being companies and psychological well being companies.

They are prone to quantity “into the hundreds”, based on the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU).

At the identical time, staff in 5 classes — together with oral well being, little one well being and parenting companies — who have been eligible for the cost haven’t been receiving it. They account for 3 per cent of these eligible.

The division has put steps “in place” to stop additional funds to ineligible workers, and says it would work with particular person workers to work out cost plans.

HACSU Tasmania assistant secretary Robbie Moore stated the eligibility for the funds was too complicated, and errors have been inevitable.

“We didn’t consent to this agreement because it was too hard to determine who was covered, it was very ambiguous. They were never going to be able to do it like this, they should’ve just paid it to everyone.

“It will price them extra to penny pinch like this.”

Staff have slammed the process in messages on departmental communications boards.

One staff member described it as “a diabolical and vital mistake”, and that it had caused “vital” harm due to ongoing employment uncertainty.

Another said they were “disenchanted” that it was not framed as an apology, while others questioned how the department could recoup payments that had already been taxed.

‘Human error’ blamed

The $2,000 bonus was offered at a time when the nurses’ union was holding rolling industrial action over workplace conditions.

It covers workers who labored within the eligible areas of the Department of Health between December 15, 2021, and July 31, 2022.

In a statement, the department confirmed all eligible staff would receive the payment, and work was ongoing to recoup money from staff who were deemed ineligible.

“For workers who obtained the cost in error, the division is working with them straight to rearrange a cost plan. We apologise to workers who’ve been affected,” the statement reads.

“More than 97 per cent of eligible workers have obtained their full entitlement beneath the settlement … and it’s anticipated that greater than 99 per cent of eligible workers could have obtained their full entitlement by early this week. 

“All payments will be made to eligible staff by December 31 as per the Frontline Health COVID-19 Agreement.”

The division can be changing its payroll system, and stated that processing about 10,000 bonus funds primarily based on places and time sheets had been “a complex and manual exercise”.

Deputy premier Michael Ferguson stated the error was brought on by human error.

“I understand that there’s potential that there’s been a level of human error by a member of administrative staff in the Department of Health doing their best to make sure that everybody that’s entitled to this additional payment gets it,” he stated.