Teachers who didn’t receive their paychecks Monday take to social media

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Director of Human Resources Lyn Pulou Alaimalo says it is the responsibility of each Director to ensure their staff gets their paychecks on time — by submitting the appropriate paperwork on time.

The comments by the DHR Director follow concerns raised by a handful of teachers who did not get paid this past Monday and the teachers took their frustration to social media and contacted Samoa News.

“I am aware that with the new fiscal year, departments are working on submitting change of account forms to the Department of Human Resources for these changes.

“It's that time of the year again, yet this time, we are actually moving forward with these types of actions.

“We have received actions for these changes, some are still pending with departments and their personnel representatives who are working on these routine changes,” said Pulou Alaimalo in response to Samoa News questions.

The Director also claims in her response that Samoa News did not reach out to the Department of Education, but Samoa News contacted the Acting Director and left messages last Thursday, and to date — there has been no response.

“You stated that this isn't the first time this has occurred but you didn't contact the Department of Education who is responsible for the forms of these employees as well as the employees.

“I am unaware which employees you're referring to however, if you're implying these 14 employees contacted you, we wouldn't know unless forms were brought to DHR.

“These employees would need to address these inquiries with their agency personnel so they're able to provide them with the correct information. 

“The Department of Human Resources are still working on the many change of account actions alongside other actions regularly received by staff.”

The DHR Director further pointed out it is the responsibility of each department personnel representative to have a master list of employees and develop an accountability plan to ensure there are no delays in actions for employees who are approaching account expirations or NTE (not to exceed) dates.

“They need to allot 90 days out so they can have a plan of action ahead.

“Don't dwell on waiting until an account expires to approach the matter.

“Personnel representatives are aware of these protocols.

“Too often, many have stated freely that papers are with DHR. Frustrated employees have contacted DHR. We have to do better than telling employees ‘it's DHR!’ Get up and bring employees' papers to DHR, make things work, put yourselves in their shoes.”

Adding that while the DHR has continued to communicate with departments during the monthly personnel meetings, they cannot control how agencies function around the workload.

“It is the responsibility of each Director to make sure that all his or her employees are good to go.

“Don't leave it at the discretion of staff. DHR works tirelessly and diligently to ensure all employees are in good care everyday and after regular government hours,” said the Director.