CARE workers in East Lancashire and across the North West say that have had to endure "routine and habitual incorrect payment."

The carers, employed by Lifeways Group which has care homes in Darwen and Chorley and is commissioned by Lancashire County Council, have regularly reported being underpaid to their union, Unison.

According to a survey carried out by Unison officials, 72 per cent of respondents say they have been paid incorrectly over the past six months, while 26 per cent say they have been underpaid every month.

One Lifeways carer, who did not wish to be identified, said: "I absolutely love my job and the people I am working with, but I'm absolutely fed up having to chase Lifeways nearly every month for my correct wages.

"Pay day is so stressful and I dread having to look at my payslip."

The Unison survey claims that 44 per cent of those paid incorrectly have fallen behind on household bills whilst 57 per cent have been forced to ask family or friends for financial help.

The carer said: "I barely afford to pay the bills because I am owed outstanding wages and for the past few months, I have had to borrow money from my family.

“I really don't think Lifeways understand what impact incorrect wages has on its staff. I want to be paid the wages I am owed on time every month, it’s not too much to ask.”

Another Lifeways carer, who has been with the provider for ten years, agreed.

They said: "I now dread each pay day as I fear that I will have been underpaid because this happens most months.

“The anxiety this causes me is horrendous, it has sometimes taken six or seven months to finally get what is owed to me."

As a result, Unison has called on the company to intervene.

North West regional organiser Dan Smith said: “Care workers have put themselves at risk during the pandemic to care for our loved ones, the very least they deserve is to be paid accurately and on time."

He added: “Lifeways need to take action now to ensure staff are paid properly and on time."

However, Lifeways has said that the company's own figures do not support the claims made by Unison and that it is committed to ensuring employees are paid fairly.

A spokesperson said: "The figures quoted by Unison bear no relation to the information we have from our payroll helpdesk regarding payroll issues, and we are disappointed that Unison did not share their concerns with us before approaching the media.

"We take very seriously our obligations to our colleagues with regard to their pay.

"We work very hard to ensure that all our colleagues are paid correctly and on time, and we actively encourage our people to contact us if they experience any problems.

"All our colleagues have direct access to the payroll helpdesk and a manager who has the authority to resolve any problems without delay.

"We are always seeking to improve how we work and will continue to do so.”