Editorial: Novopay system taking the mickey

The phrase - if it ain't broke, don't fix it - is one that can really describe the Novopay situation.

Novopay is the schools' payroll service. Australian company Talent2 took over the Ministry of Education's payroll contract at the start of September and is responsible for paying 85,000 teaching and support staff fortnightly.

Since then, there have been a number of mistakes and problems caused by the service. We have heard about staff not being paid, being overpaid and more.

As well as teachers not getting paid, schools are trying to fix the mess caused by Novopay and some staff, who aren't even with schools any more are getting paid for work they're not doing.

Today, we tell our readers that Novopay has paid a group of John Paul College staff $26,000 for their summer break - the problem is they don't work at the school.

John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh said they were astounded to find the additional $26,000 removed from their operation grant during last week's payroll.

He said the large sum had been given, without instruction from the school, to a group of part-time staff who left the school in August, after working with international students.

It all seems pretty unbelievable really.

Imagine the stresses these staff and their families are going through. Imagine going to work and come payday, not being confident of getting paid.

It seems the change in payroll systems has only caused problems and makes me wonder whether there was any reason for the change. The phrase if it ain't broke, don't fix it comes to mind.

Or, if there is a need to change ... wouldn't you check to make sure everything ran smoothly once the changeover took place?

I think most people could forgive a few hiccups involved with a change over but the Novopay system is just about taking the mickey.

It really needs to be sorted to save the unnecessary drama.

What do you think?

Email editor@dailypost.co.nz, text DP then your message to 021 241 4568, or write to editor, PO Box 1442, Rotorua.

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