Library leaders address payroll concerns; opinions differ on effectiveness

Published 12:01 am Thursday, March 21, 2019

LAPLACE — As St. John the Baptist Parish Library leaders strive to serve the public amid leadership transitions and ongoing investigation, one employee says new payroll software is lowering workplace morale.

Employee Cynthia DuBois said she has received late pay stubs on more than two occasions and has experienced numerous payroll irregularities since St. John Parish libraries switched to ADP software in January.

There is inconsistency in taxes and insurance deductions per paycheck, DuBois said, adding some employees have received their paystubs earlier than others once they come in.

“It’s this constant playing around,” DuBois said. “They won’t give us our time card. They won’t give us our paystubs until after they come in. For some reason, they’re holding them close to the chest. Whatever mistake can be made, they’re making. When you say something to them, it’s always this bizarre excuse.”

Assistant library director Dana Douglas has overseen day-to-day operations since former director Trina Smith moved to a children’s librarian role in January, and she said she hasn’t received complaints on the ADP system.

According to Douglas, all employees received checks after a slight delay caused by Mardi Gras closures.

“Due to the statewide holiday, the time management institutions did not credit those accounts on that day,” Douglas said. “They reported back on Wednesday. However, the payroll was submitted before then.”

Douglas said there have been no issues with ADP software, which she said gives employees access to time off accruals.

While DuBois said she is unable to view her time and paystubs without receiving error messages, Douglas said it’s part of a normal software transition as more modules are added.

Douglas is pleased with the direction the library is headed in, and she has sought to improve public services and workplace atmosphere through bi-weekly face-to-face meetings with branch managers.

“We’re just trying to invoke positivity and stay connected to the community,” Douglas said.

“There are challenges, but I think everything is going well. We are still working and providing the services we have provided in the past. We think we are more on track than we were a few months ago in terms of operations.”

Library Board of Control member Brannetter James spoke to approximately 10 employees during a library visit last week, and she did not find any cause for concern.

“They were all very understanding that you’re in transition, you have to work out the bugs,” James said. “It wasn’t the first time they have gotten a check late because of holidays. They also stated they thought Ms. Douglas is doing a fantastic job. She’s wearing more than one hat, and they’re willing to work with her and support her.”

According to James, Library Board president Virgie Johnson is signing a contract with a personnel consulting group to search for a new library director.

Next steps to hiring were discussed at last week’s Board of Control meeting, which also featured swearing in of new board member Blaine Tatje to fill the void left by library patriarch Norris J. Millet’s departure.

Johnson did not respond to L’OBSERVATEUR’s requests for comment.

Douglas said library leadership has been productive in recent months with the resolution of more than $37,000 in unpaid invoices dating back to 2017.

According to Douglas, many of the invoices are linked to an active criminal investigation into alleged theft committed by a former employee.