Payroll boss says sorry to teachers, staff

Developers of the Novopay school payroll system have apologised over the ongoing pay problems that have pushed schools and their staff to breaking point.

Talent2 chief executive John Rawlinson apologised after a meeting with Secretary for Education Lesley Longstone, the NZ Schools Trustees Association, unions, the Principals Federation, and other stakeholders.

"Talent2 apologises for the inconvenience that payment disruptions and inaccuracies have had on New Zealand teachers, principals, support staff, and their respective schools," he said.

Novopay has been beset with problems since it was bought in in August, with teachers and support staff underpaid, overpaid, and not paid.

Although thousands of errors have been corrected, there are worries the crucial Christmas pay period will be affected.

Mr Rawlinson said there would be inevitable teething issues with Novopay given the system had managed more than a billion dollars in salary payments, made more than 550,000 separate pay transactions and managed 50,000 calls. Up to 100,000 education staff are being managed by about 150 Talent2 staff.

Despite assurances, Porirua relief teacher Ian Dodd said he still hadn't been paid.

He is concerned his promised pay will not reach him on the next pay day - November 28.

"I am still apprehensive that this may not happen. I can't trust that the system will deliver what it says it will.

"If I don't get it before Christmas, with the school office manager away, and Novopay closed over the Christmas break, I would not get it until schools reopen in late January," he said.

Last week the Ministry of Education agreed to reimburse schools for the extra costs they incurred sorting out problems caused by the system.

Novopay system
$1b managed in salaries
550,000 separate transactions
50,000 calls from teachers handled
150 staff.