Students face pay delays

By Abigail Tobias

A number of students employed by Durham University have reported having not been paid on time, the correct amount or receiving any payment at all.

Casual student workers ranging from bar workers, tour guides and department demonstrators highlighted issues with student HR accounts Palatinate has heard. Some student employees reported being left off payment systems or having the wrong hours recorded, and as such not receiving correct compensation.

Managers have had to send “multiple emails” to Durham Human Resources in order for students to be fully compensated for their working hours according to an email obtained by Palatinate. 

A Durham University spokesperson said: “We make thousands of payments every year for work undertaken, and make every effort to pay people accurately and on time.”

According to University documents detailing the management of flexible workers, all flexible workers should have their salaries paid through the Oracle HR & Payroll system to ensure appropriate payments. The documents also highlight that it is the responsibility of the relevant College/Department to ensure that information is provided to the HR and Pay Services team.

It felt like I was just being paid when she could be bothered submitting the payslips, not on a regular basis

“I have not been paid yet for my work in February or March,” one student tour guide told Palatinate. “According to management, the issue is that my HR account is still not on the system.”

The student was not paid until mid-May for work completed in February or March, after management met with HR.

The University details in their flexible workers policy that “Any queries received from student employees about pay are usually resolved informally” but highlights “the staff concerns policy also applies to student and casual workers.”

Students also described issues with payslip systems and reported chasing up payments with managers or escalate to HR. One department programme mentor detailed having to repeatedly email their manager to enquire as to whether hours were being accurately counted 

Students also described issues with payslip systems and reported chasing up payments with managers or escalate to HR. One department programme mentor detailed having to repeatedly email their manager to enquire as to whether hours were being accurately counted 

“It felt like I was just being paid when she could be bothered submitting the payslips, not on a regular basis. I am also due 4 payslips from the past 4 months that my manager said will be sent over at the end of April, however I am yet to see the payslips appear in my inbox.”

One student commented that a lack of University response to not being paid on time eventually resulted in them contacting ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) at which point the University promptly resolved the issue.

According to the 2024 Wider Student experience survey, 41% of Durham students in 2024 worked at least one hour a week for pay.

A university spokesperson said in a comment to Palatinate “In the very small number of cases where payment is not made on time, we endeavour to make advance payments as soon as possible to minimise any inconvenience.

“We also review any late payments regularly, with a view to improving our processes.”

“We hold weekly drop-in sessions for students on the casual worker process, and we would encourage any student with a query to get in touch so we can rectify any problems as soon as they occur.”

Image credit: Isla Mustin