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Bunnings has found an error in its payroll system that dates back to 2011.

The Wesfarmers hardware chain discovered a problem with superannuation payments for some part-time workers who had worked more than their annual contracted hours from the 2011-12 financial year onwards.

Bunnings said in a statement that in most cases the issue would only affect superannuation contributions for May or June of the relevant year.

The company said it was not able to quantify the total value of the underpaid super.

“Bunnings is running a full reconciliation, which will be independently verified, and will make a back payment plus compensation in accordance with Australian Taxation Office requirements,” the company said in a statement.

“Bunnings has briefed the Fair Work Ombudsman and notified the Retail Employee Superannuation Trust. Bunnings will also contact former team members who have been affected by this error.”

Bunnings Human Resources Director Jacqui Coombes said the company regretted the error.

“We understand the importance of ensuring our team members are paid everything they are entitled to in full and on time — in this case, while inadvertent, we haven’t, and we are very sorry for that,” she said.

“Our focus now is on making sure we complete this reconciliation thoroughly and as quickly as possible, so we can ensure that the superannuation contributions and compensation owing are made to team members’ superannuation funds.

“We have also fixed the original error to ensure that this does not happen again.”

It comes as the federal government considers legislation that would allow jail terms for employers convicted of wage theft.

It’s the latest company to have underpaid workers after Sunglass Hut was ordered to pay back $2.3 million after underpaying 620 staff members at stores right across Australia.

In July Michael Hill International said it would spend up to $25 million to compensate employees who were underpaid over a six-year period.

In February it was announced Rebel Sport owner Super Retail Group was set to repay six years’ worth of unpaid overtime and allowances to retail managers in an expected $43 million pre-tax hit to first-half earnings.

On a smaller scale, celebrity chef George Calombaris was ordered to pay a $200,000 “contrition payment” after a Fair Work Australia investigation concluded his business empire underpaid 515 staff by $7.8 million over six years.