Canberra doctor gets $165,000 payout in landmark overtime case
A Canberra doctor received a $165,000 payout as part of a $31 million settlement for unpaid overtime.Summary
A $31 million settlement has been reached between Canberra Health Services and Calvary Health Care ACT to compensate junior doctors for unpaid and unrostered overtime. The payout, which totals $25.34 million for approximately 1,200 doctors, includes a record $165,000 payment to one doctor. Lawyers involved noted that while doctors were initially skeptical about receiving payment, the settlement process was thorough. Surgical departments were identified as the worst offenders for unpaid overtime, though emergency departments were better resourced. The lead plaintiff, Dr Ying Ying Tham, emphasized that the case was not just about back pay but about changing the culture of medicine to ensure fair and safe working hours are recognized.
(Source：The Canberra Times)