The House Government Operations Committee called in the Director of Human Resources, Tiaoalii Dr. Asenati Saau-Umi, Monday, to answer questions that constituents have raised regarding what appears to some as inconsistent policies by the current administration.
Chairman Rep. Faimealelei Anthony Allen said this includes why some employees who were hired under contract by the previous administration have had their contracts terminated, and others are still working, why some employees who were fired from ASG because of drug related offences are working in the Governor’s Office and the hiring process for Executive Advisors in the Governor’s Office.
The DHR Director explained that the Governor’s Office has completed review of contracts for some of the employees in that office under the previous administration. Some contracts have been ended, while the review is continuing for others.
For contract employees in departments, she said that it’s up to the directors if thy wished to continue the service of the contracted employees. If the decision is to terminate, this action doesn’t happen immediately as DHR must ensure that the termination follows the process.
She said Executive Advisors in the Governor’s Office all went through drug testing and submitted police and medical clearances.
With regards to employees who are terminated because of drugs, Dr. Saau-Umi said after six months, DHR will review their status and can rehire them. However, she does not know of anyone who has been rehired after being fired for a drug violation.
Representative Vailoata Amituanai questioned the DHR Director if she has to go through the Executive Advisor in the Governor’s Office overseeing her department of if she deals directly with the Governor. The Director made it clear that she reports directly to the Governor not the Executive Advisor. But added that she does work together with the EA.
A follow up question from Rep. Vailoata was if any political appointees from the past administration have been rehired, yet they received a payout at the end of their terms.
The director responded, “Not that I know of.”
Rep. Vailoata advised that she look into this because it is not fair if political employees received payouts yet they have been rehired.
When asked if contract positions are advertised, the director responded that some directors will promote internally and others will decide to advertise the positions. Another question from Vailoata concerned the payment of increments pointing out that many employees have complained that they have not received their salary increments.
According to the director, the Governor had also brought up the complaints about non payment of increments. She told the hearing that increments are being paid, however, it is not automatic and the personnel managers of each department are responsible for providing the information for processing of increments.
There were several questions regarding the Executive Advisors in the Governor’s Office. Responding to questions from Rep. Ape Mike Asifoa on the number of Executive Advisors, the director said it’s her understanding that there are 5. When asked for their salaries, she said about $70,00. Rep. Ape pointed out that the organizational chart that the House has received shows 8 Executive Advisors, which he calculated would add up to more than half a million in salaried. He felt that these positions are unnecessary. He also questioned the hiring of Executive Advisors when cost containment measures have been implemented.
Rep. Avagafono Vaimaga Maiava commented that the EA positions were not included in the Governor’s Office budget, and asked the director if she advised the governor about the hiring of executive advisors. The director said there are several positions in the Governor’s Office from the previous administration which have not been refilled, and the funding from those vacant positions are paying for the executive advisors.
Rep. Luaitaua Gene Pan verified with the director that she sees all of the salaries of ASG employees, and she confirmed this to be true.
He asked if it’s true that some advisors are paid $100,000. The director said the salary was $70,000.
Lua’itau pressed if all department directors earn the same salary. According to the director, some are paid $85,0000 but 9 are paid $80,000.
Lua’itaua didn’t believe that the executive advisors are being paid less then directors.
He asked how many former directors have been converted to the position of deputy director, and was told just one. When he asked for a name, the chairman stopped him.
Manu’a Rep. Vala Porotesano Liusamoa wanted to know the number of new hires since the start of the current administration. The director didn’t have the information, but said she will provide it to the Committee.
