The City of Albuquerque is in the throws of installing a new computer system. The new system - bought with our tax dollars - no doubt has a long list of benefits that will allegedly save all of us money. Hopefully the claims are true, but with the way things are being run in this state it wouldn't surprise us if someone gave something to someone else to sweeten the deal.
In any case, the system is up but as you might expect not quite running. Normally, city employees get paid bi-weekly on Thursdays. Like any other business with a large payroll, the city pays those employees via direct deposit.
As with any new computer system, there are bound to be a few thousand snafus (more if it runs on Windows... but that's another discussion). The city notified all of its employees that their January 8th check might be a little light because overtime probably would not be included in their paycheck. The city allowed that they would consider helping anyone with overdraft charges due to the lack of proper payment.
Oops! Thursday, January 8th came and went and city employees got nada, bupkis. The good news is that following January 8th came Friday January 9th and city employees not only got their paychecks they got double their paychecks.
Our Eyes tell us that in some cases some of the double payment was withdrawn. But in most cases they could find, employees simply got twice their paycheck.
First of all, the city shouldn't consider making good on overdraft charges - they should simply do it. Most of the employees of the city aren't like the Almighty Alcalde and his 11th floor denizens, they make modest salaries and rely on the city to pay in a timely manner. In this case, they didn't even make their promised goal of making sure base pay made it into employees accounts on Thursday - they were a day late.
Then they doubled down effectively doubling the payroll. Even if the error is caught and reversed, the city looses money and you disrupt cash flow which affects other payments to vendors, etc.
It wouldn't be the first time the city bought substandard software or failed to understand the system requirements. (Can you say Tiburon?) Let's hope that the installation of the new software and its attendant glitches are simply the result of transition pains and not the result of substandard software or money changing hands behind closed doors. In New Mexico it's hard to tell.
20 comments:
Is it time the AG's Office investigate the OMI?
No one in goverment is above the law. How do we know that the OMI did it's job in this case? How do we know that their mandate is followed and that they are not simply giving their "opinion".
Perhaps we could do better with a flip of the coin. Who controls OMI's budget? Who holds that office accountable?
Well, not sure the city lost money. They had a whole day to collect interest on millions of dollars. Now I know my paycheck will collect extra money, but for the young guys, they may actually think this is their paycheck and overspend. They shouldn’t have to prove an overdraft! It’s up to the City, like when they went to the “Ross “system. What’s the gig of having to go to a new payroll every couple of years. It’s a screw up every time. I have to agree: it’s either a cheap system or a pay-off. All I know is that I’m still owed about $20,000 FLSA.
Oh, but I’m told by admin and union it’s really not that big of a deal, I suppose they don’t have the years in that I’ve been screwed and paying Union dues…
whats the OMI got to do with paying me twice?
failure is not an option.
it comes bundled in the software.
verily it is written
Thanks Eye, I wouldn't have know they double deposited if it weren't for you. The only memo I saw was that they were going to deposit on Friday instead of Thursday. They did make some good interest! That's the 1st thing I thought of.
I called my bank and I confirmed. Hopefully that will stay in over the weekend and I'll collect that interest, because like the one poster said the city owes me about $20,000 in FLSA also. But it's no big deal to them this has been going on for years.
Maybe our buddy Larry Barker should get a hold of it. Our union's don't seem to want too, they're to ascared to do anything.
yawn..............like always, you guys have to find something
I dont see a "sunset" period on FLSA but have been told that claims do require to be filed before 2 years from the time effected...anyone know if that's true? If not wouldn't it apply to retired folks who are still owed from years past?
I can also tell you from personal knowledge that as far as "trickle down" to vendors that's already started. In typical City fashion, vendor invoices are already NOT being paid on time. For some reason (unexplained) iat least one City vendor (and I'm betting more) is still waiting for payment on invoices that are now past due.
As with City employees, however, these businesses also rely on TIMELY payment of invoices to sustain their business. Wonder where the money is now?
look at your new paystubs everyone. Look closely. Overtime was paid at a significantly lower rate than what we are owed. My overtime pay was 25.17 an hour. My regular pay is 23.15 an hour. Is there anything the city does right?
Follow the money - WHO got the contract to install this system?
WHO is the employee who made the goof(s) related to the snafu?
The new system will keep the paper companies in business. Employees are now required to turn in a timesheet every week. What a waste of paper. So much for saving trees.
Contact city payroll for an explanation on FLSA rules about your overtime rate when you take time off opposed to when you don't take anytime off. There's a difference.
regarding yawn....
I guess the 5th and 11th floors have nothing more to say. Either it's "yawn", dissing spelling mistakes or "you'll get over it"
Not any different than the way they treat employee issues.
WTF??? "Contact city payroll for an explanation on FLSA rules about your overtime rate"?? Are You for real???? Why do you think the Chavez v. City of Albuquerque was filed!! Because the city knows nothing about the correct calculation of OT! I've worked plenty of OT and I've NEVER been paid shift differential (for one) altho I worked during the hours when that differential was to paid, the mathematical calculation of my OT is incorrect and still is 8 years later, and on and on. The unions are a joke, doing the bidding for the 11th & 5th floors. :(
FYI the above FLSA "Sunset" does not kick in once the employer was notified. THey got notified pretty regularly for years, so hang on, even if you retired years ago
what the hell does the union have to do with payroll? more retard blogging!
I wish someone would say: 1) the name of the software 2) who sold it to them (if it wasn't the publisher), who installed it, etc.
you don't pay bills and spend money when you don't have it in the bank account. and the direct deposit people are lucky because they are given their money a day early. you know your paydays are every other FRIDAY don't you? Don't get me wrong, the city totally screwed up on this, double deposits, miscalculations, money being taken out for something and ending up who knows where, but seriously, who spends money that's not in their account? unless you have auto bill pay, ok, sure. Oh and when you work say 8 hrs of OT and you take a day or two off, you don't get paid OT people! get a clue!
What the hell does the union have to do with payroll?...
Obviously you’re not a union member or negotiator. The auto deposit was promised years ago to go into employees accounts on Thursday. Pay is a grieve-able issue.
That’s what the unions have to do with it. You must not be a city employee!
"Oh and when you work say 8 hrs of OT and you take a day or two off, you don't get paid OT people! get a clue!"
Only true if you are APD, maybe AFD, you guys got boned on your contract, no one else in the city loses their ot if they take time off in the same pay period. We can take off the entire time, work ot during the same time, and still get paid. Ya'll got screwed.
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