News Summary
New Orleans officials are tackling payroll delays affecting lifeguards and camp counselors, with 77 employees affected. Issues stem from incomplete applications and communication breakdowns. The NORD CEO announced process changes for summer hires, aiming to prevent future disruptions. Amid a surge in applications, previous payroll incidents highlighted the need for improvements. Lifeguards, awaiting their pay, are experiencing financial stress. The city has apologized and committed to resolving the issue quickly, as it prepares to hire additional lifeguards for the summer season.
New Orleans officials are responding to significant payroll issues faced by lifeguards and camp counselors following delays in their first paychecks, which were due on June 13, 2023. A total of 77 employees have been affected by these payment delays, which officials attribute to incomplete applications, missing documentation, and communication issues between the City Administration and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD).
NORD Chief Executive Officer Larry Barabino Jr. has announced that the organization will still continue to interview candidates for summer positions. However, onboarding processes will now be transferred to the city’s Chief Administrative Office. This change is part of a broader effort to manage the overwhelming number of summer employment applications and improve the efficiency of payroll processing.
The City of New Orleans is making substantial changes to its human resources operations, aiming to enhance support for the influx of seasonal workers. New measures include the implementation of mandatory checklists for hiring packets and specified written start dates. These steps are designed to prevent future instances of incomplete paperwork that could lead to payroll disruptions.
This current payment delay is not an isolated incident. Past summer seasons have seen similar issues, including delays in stipends for participants in the summer Teen Career Camp, where payments were not processed until September. The Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program also experienced complications; this year, the program saw nearly double the applications after receiving a $2 million influx from American Rescue Plan funds.
Previous payroll issues attributed to bank account errors and the high volume of applications exacerbated these problems. Lifeguards recently received communications from NORD’s human resources acknowledging the payroll delays, while also failing to provide a specific timeline for when the issues would be resolved. This lack of clarity has created additional stress for affected employees, many of whom are desperately awaiting their wages.
Among those impacted, lifeguard Reginique Otkins expressed frustration over the vague responses from city officials, particularly given her urgent financial needs. As a mother of four, she emphasized the necessity of timely income to support her family.
In an effort to address the concerns, the City of New Orleans has issued an apology to the seasonal employees affected by these payroll delays. Officials have committed to resolving the issue as quickly as possible to ensure that the lifeguards receive the compensation they are owed. It is important to note that lifeguards currently earn between $16.72 and $17 per hour, depending on their assigned position.
NORD is actively working to hire 150 lifeguards in preparation for the summer season, which kicked off with the opening of public pools on May 31, 2023. Notably, the requirements for applicants do not mandate residency in Orleans Parish, broadening the pool of potential candidates.
In summary, New Orleans officials are taking steps to rectify the payroll issues that have affected lifeguards and camp counselors, ensuring that future processes are more efficient and streamlined. As the summer progresses, the city remains committed to supporting its seasonal employees.
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Additional Resources
- NOLA: New Orleans Lifeguards Pay Issues
- Wikipedia: Payroll Management
- WDSU: New Orleans Hiring Lifeguards
- Google Search: New Orleans lifeguard payroll issues
- Fox 8 Live: Lifeguards Unpaid in New Orleans
- Google Scholar: New Orleans seasonal employment payroll issues
- WWL: NORD Seasonal Workers’ Paychecks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Payroll System
- Fox 8 Live: City Apologizes for Payroll Error
- Google News: New Orleans lifeguards pay problems
