Chris Hipkins
Education Spokesperson

13 February 2014

Novopay problems continue a year after Joyce’s promise

Schools up and down the country are still tearing their hair out over payroll problems more than a year after the Government’s “Mr Fix It” Steven Joyce promised to sort out Novopay, Labour's Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

“All the smooth talk in the world from Steven Joyce can't hide the fact that Novopay is still a shambles.

“Payroll problems have been a huge distraction for schools. Teachers, principals and school administrators should be focused on educating kids, not battling just to make sure people get paid what they're rightfully entitled to.

“A year ago Steven Joyce promised schools he would fix Novopay and things would be back to normal in a matter of months. A year on, they are still waiting.

“A recent survey by the Principals’ Federation revealed two thirds of schools still have unresolved problems carried over from last year.

“More than 70 per cent of principals have no confidence in the Novopay system, and nearly 40 per cent of schools report that information on their staffing entitlements was inaccurate in the most recent reports produced by Novopay.

“Steven Joyce has had a whole year to sort out this shambles and he has failed. Teachers, principals and school staff deserve better,” Chris Hipkins says.

ENDS

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