The New York City Housing Authority announced today 22 provisional workers were terminated or returned to their former civil service titles after an investigation showed they abused overtime. This investigation is ongoing.
NYCHA will not tolerate overtime abuse. We will continue to investigate these employees and others and will take appropriate action – both legal and criminal – against any employee who abuses overtime or commits any other type of overtime malfeasance.
An investigation by NYCHA’s Quality Assurance Department, one of three new departments established by the 2019 HUD Agreement, found that these employees consistently swiped out at the end of their overtime window while being underutilized during their regular work hours.
“This investigation shows the progress NYCHA is making toward transparency and compliance,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Greg Russ. “This is proof positive that the 2019 HUD Agreement is working, and we have the departments in place to ensure best practices at the Authority.”
“Overtime is necessary for staff to be available to respond to residents’ needs and improve productivity, and those employees who abuse this tool undermine the effectiveness of the Authority,” said Jay Flaherty, NYCHA Vice President of Quality and Cost Control. “NYCHA is committed to investigating all malfeasance and will take appropriate disciplinary measures as needed.”
An overtime policy, which is not unique to NYCHA, is necessary to address the work dictated by the HUD Agreement, including the need for increased staffing during the heating season, as well as addressing immediate and long-term needs of NYCHA residents, especially in cases of weekend emergencies or federally recognized holidays.
NYCHA is obligated to credit overtime and pay overtime in accordance with the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreements to which it is bound. Any abuse or inappropriate uses of overtime are investigated by NYCHA’s Quality Assurance team, which also works with our city and federal partners.
This internal investigation initially identified 66 skilled trade workers through surveillance or tracking who have potentially cheated the Authority by overbilling for overtime they worked. An additional 12 skilled trade supervisors were interviewed as part of this investigation.
Of these 66 workers, 22 were identified as provisional employees, which resulted in 18 terminations and four employees being returned to their prior civil service title pending discipline. None of these employees are supervisors.
The provisional employees include 18 plumber helpers, 16 of whom were terminated and two returned to their prior civil service titles pending further discipline; and four carpenters, two of whom were terminated and two returned to their prior civil service titles pending further discipline.
The remaining 44 workers are still part of the ongoing investigation.
The 22 provisional employees made a total of $1,476,783 in 2021 and three employees made more than $100,000 in 2021.
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About the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
NYCHA’s mission is to increase opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers by providing safe, affordable housing and facilitating access to social and community services. Over 390,000 New Yorkers reside in NYCHA’s 316 public housing developments and PACT/RAD developments formerly managed by NYCHA around the five boroughs. Over 190,000 receive subsidized rental assistance in private homes through the NYCHA-administered Section 8 Leased Housing Program.
For more information, please visit nyc.gov/nycha, and for regular updates on NYCHA news and services, connect with us via Facebook and Twitter.
