(Washington, DC) – The Department of Employment Services (DOES) worked throughout the weekend to identify and resolve payroll issues that resulted in more than 5,800 summer youth workers being underpaid or not paid at all.  Approximately 14,300 youth workers were paid on Friday, July 18, 2008 for the second pay period, which began on June 23 and ended on July 4, 2008. 

According to agency officials, payroll time and attendance, as well as systems issues contributed to many of the program’s recent payroll problems.  Despite a contingency plan that was developed to deal with payment and debit card issues, the agency did not anticipate that these problems would result in partial- and non-payment issues of youth workers.

“Our goal is to ensure that all of our youth who worked are paid accordingly,” says Summer Spencer, Director of DOES.  “We are modifying our systems to alleviate future payroll problems.”  The agency is also investigating the many pay discrepancies that occurred in this last pay period.  Spencer added, “There have been some major ‘lessons learned’ throughout this process.” 

The agency processed wages for 5,846 youth workers during the weekend (this includes both underpayments and non-payments).  As a result, youth workers with debit cards can access their funds by Tuesday, July 22, 2008.  Those without debit cards were issued paper checks this weekend.  Verification of time worked and attendance were required.

As of today, the agency reported the following findings:

• As of July 21, a total of 19,346 youth workers have been referred to jobs.*
• 15,664 youth workers accessed their pay by debit card for the first pay period, June 16 – June 20, 2008.
• 14,303 youth workers were paid by debit card on Friday, July 18 for the second pay period, June 23 – July 4, 2008**

*There is normally a 20 percent attrition rate in youth attendance; however registration is on-going.
**This number will increase with the additional payments to youth.

For more information or updates on the payment processes, please contact the Office of Public Affairs at (202) 671-2100.