Wilson medical facility employees rally against overpayment removal from paychecks

Tameka Hamilton, an employee at Longleaf Neuro-Medical Treatment Center, said she was expecting a bonus when she received her January paycheck.

"When we saw the extra money in our checks, that is what we thought it was, a bonus," Hamilton said.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS] confirmed in a statement that 59 employees were overpaid due to a clerical error in January. The statement said employees were notified immediately after the money was incorrectly deposited and informed the people impacted that it would be taken from the next paycheck.

The overpayments ranged from $26 to $2,649.

The rally-goers would like DHHS to reconsider its decision to take the money out all at once and instead allow them to return it in a series of payments.

Hamilton said many people already had established plans for the money, thinking it was a bonus.

"It was a mistake that was made," Hamilton said. "We understand that. No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes.

"At the end of the day, these are people's livelihoods and money for bills and whatnot."

The statement from DHHS said the way the money was returned is in line with a statewide policy.

"Our employees are our most important asset — particularly those who work in our state facilities," the statement read." While double entry of time is rare, it's why we immediately notified employees of this situation so they could prepare for the recoupment on their next paycheck. And it's also why we provided staff with the opportunity to discuss this overpayment with Longleaf NMTC leadership and the local HR office."