Gov orders pay increments and performance evaluations reinstated

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga — through a Nov. 23 executive order — reinstated pay increases for the government workforce and directed that cabinet members take care of their employees.

Lemanu noted in the executive order’s preamble that government employees who have satisfactory performance evaluations are entitled to a pay increment according to provisions of the Administrative Code.

Two separate executive orders issued by the previous administration in 2010 and 2011 suspended pay increment increases as part of austerity measures that the government adopted.

Despite the Lolo Administration reinstating pay increments, they left the executive orders in place that were issued at the time.

Lemanu said his administration took remedial measures to give employees step increases to make up for prior years when pay increment increases were not given.

He ordered that the 2010 and 2011 executive orders repealed and that any administrative guidance in conflict with this new order is void. And the new order — dated Nov. 23 — was effective immediately.

In a memorandum elaborating on the same subject as the executive order, also dated Nov. 23 to cabinet directors, the governor addressed the issue of “Performance Evaluations and Pay Increment Increases”.

“One of the essential roles of a supervisor is to take care of their employees,” the governor said, and that includes providing counseling, guidance, and evaluations so their employees can be more effective and progress in their careers.

And this is reflected in the Administrative Code, which requires annual evaluations of employees.

“Annual pay increment increases are not an entitlement,” the governor declared, “but they are due to employees who receive satisfactory performance evaluations for performing their jobs to standard.”

Lemanu said it has come to his attention “that this is not happening in every department. I want to ensure everyone understands that evaluations are required for every career service and contract employee.”

Lemanu noted that there have been times when pay increment increases were suspended due to fiscal concerns. Additionally, the previous Lolo Administrative lifted the last pay increment increase suspension in 2015.

“This administration attempted to remedy the lack of pay increments by giving employees step increases based on longevity,” he said and referred directors to a memorandum issued last year. “Now it is incumbent on supervisors and directors to do their part.”

According to the governor, a director is responsible for designating a supervisor to rate each employee. And in accordance with provision of the Administrative Code - A.S.A.C. § 4.0409 — each rating supervisor shall complete an evaluation of each employee no later than 60 days before each employee's step increment due date.

“Typically, the anniversary of the date they were hired,” the governor said, adding that the evaluations shall be on forms approved by the ASG Human Resources director.

Lemanu reminds cabinet directors that when agencies submit their quarterly reports, they shall include a report with the number of employees who were granted, denied, or found ineligible to receive step increases for the prior year.

“Take care of your employees,” Lemanu told directors.

This has been a long-standing issue for ASG employees waiting for their pay increments and the governor’s new order and memorandum has cleared up this issue.