Claims of harassment & intimidation against HR Acting Director

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A letter circulated before the confirmation hearing of Acting Director of Human Resources Lynn Pulou Alaimalo in the Senate yesterday contains complaints of harassment and intimidation by the cabinet member.
The letter was anonymous and the group writing only identified themselves by signing it “ASG Career Service affected by the current administration’s political move.”
The letter was addressed to Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and copied to Lt. Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale, Administrative Law Judge Marie Ala’ilima, Senate President  Tuaolo Manaia Fruean, House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, senators and representatives.
The group claims in the letter, “The new leadership in HR came in bullying and intimidating the current HR employees. The language she uses is insulting, abusive and oppressive.”
In the letter, it’s alleged that several employees at the Dept. of Human Resources were recently reassigned verbally without following procedures and that the affected employees were not given any explanation.
“The aggressive verbal orders to the management staff to vacate their office space to allow the new incoming employees in to replace them is very unprofessional and detrimental to the employees‘ well-being and environment,” the group stated.
The group also pointed out that the positions for the new employees brought in by Human Resources leadership are not budgeted in the American Samoa Government’s 2021 budget. Neither are these positions included in the department’s organizational chart. In addition, it was noted that proper recruitment procedures have not been followed in the hiring of the new employees.
The letter gives an example of the Acting Director of Human Resources not following procedures. It says the new deputy director for Training and  Development had recently transitioned from the Governor’s office to take over the position upon retirement of the former deputy director.
KHJ News  has received confirmation the transitioned employee is Sesilia Time and she was trained to take over from the former deputy director Makerita Enesi who is retired.
The transfer from the Governor’s Office to Human Resources, according to the letter, was based on Time’s merits and qualifications as recommended by the outgoing deputy director. This was approved by the former Human Resources director and authorized by the former Governor. It’s not mentioned, however, if the position was advertised.
The letter of complaint mentions that the deputy director who transitioned from the Governor’s Office is well versed with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Plan and has been trained regarding the plan which supports employment and training of the ASG workforce.
KHJ News investigations show that the Acting Human Resources Director brought in two deputies. A former teacher Virginia Boat and Max Tuitele who has worked in HR before.  Boat left on the last medical flight for off-island treatment.
The letter charges, “It is very disappointing when the Acting Director of HR introduced a new deputy director for the Training and Development Division and demanded the current deputy to vacate her office for the newcomer, instructed support staff to provide the incoming deputy director with training etc. and left without consultation with the current deputy director.”
The group of affected career service employees who complained are asking the new administration to review all new employee appointments and work towards dispelling the fear, havoc and confusion currently growing within the ASG workforce.
The letter continues, “While we do not doubt your new administration strives for the harmony and cohesiveness of our workforce, we question the credibility of some of your newly appointed directors based on their recklessness and irresponsible actions. We ask that you review your appointment of directors again and assess them based on their merits, qualifications, knowledge and compassion to their jobs.”
The complaints were raised by Senate President Tuaolo Fruean, Magalei Logovii and Uti Petelo during Pulou Alaimalo’s confirmation hearing yesterday.
Senators confirmed her with a vote of 12-6.