[US] New State Department payroll system leaving diplomats in war zones unpaid

A payroll system adopted by the US State Department last year is leaving diplomats overseas unpaid, including some employees in war zones, The Hill reports.

In 2021, the State Department transitioned its payroll system from mainframe computers to the cloud, leading many staffers to claim they are now spending time tracking down payments instead of doing their jobs. Employees around the world have reported missing paycheques, missing holiday times and pay differentials failing to go through, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal.

Former department staff member Patrick Ellsworth reportedly told the Journal that his first paycheque was not deposited after he completed a tour of Pakistan, making him come close to missing his mortgage payments. Mr Ellsworth quit the State Department this year, many payment issues are still outstanding.

“Russia is at war and people are wasting time on making sure they’re getting paid,” Mr Ellsworth said.

The Hill has reached out to the State Department for its response.

The Wall Street Journal reporting said the new payment system being used by the State Department was developed by an outside contractor named SOS International LLC.

In a statement to the paper, Julian Seitan - SOS International Chief Executive - said, “We understand how sensitive the issue of pay is and are deeply committed to supporting CGFS to provide the quality service that our diplomats and their families serving in distant and often challenging environments deserve.”

One senior State Department official told The Journal that the department regretted the issues employees have experienced as a result of the payroll system.

“We don’t want to be creating any additional stress for colleagues in war zones and deeply regret if that’s happening,” they said.

Source: The Hill

(Link and quotes via original reporting)

A payroll system adopted by the US State Department last year is leaving diplomats overseas unpaid, including some employees in war zones, The Hill reports.

In 2021, the State Department transitioned its payroll system from mainframe computers to the cloud, leading many staffers to claim they are now spending time tracking down payments instead of doing their jobs. Employees around the world have reported missing paycheques, missing holiday times and pay differentials failing to go through, according to reporting by The Wall Street Journal.

Former department staff member Patrick Ellsworth reportedly told the Journal that his first paycheque was not deposited after he completed a tour of Pakistan, making him come close to missing his mortgage payments. Mr Ellsworth quit the State Department this year, many payment issues are still outstanding.

“Russia is at war and people are wasting time on making sure they’re getting paid,” Mr Ellsworth said.

The Hill has reached out to the State Department for its response.

The Wall Street Journal reporting said the new payment system being used by the State Department was developed by an outside contractor named SOS International LLC.

In a statement to the paper, Julian Seitan - SOS International Chief Executive - said, “We understand how sensitive the issue of pay is and are deeply committed to supporting CGFS to provide the quality service that our diplomats and their families serving in distant and often challenging environments deserve.”

One senior State Department official told The Journal that the department regretted the issues employees have experienced as a result of the payroll system.

“We don’t want to be creating any additional stress for colleagues in war zones and deeply regret if that’s happening,” they said.

Source: The Hill

(Link and quotes via original reporting)