Online Payslips - Everyone is talking about them

The technology infrastructure and software that enables organisations to implement self-service has been around for more than a decade, with most HR and Payroll software providers offering a self-service module or facility that can be integrated with a HR and/or payroll system. But despite the efficiency improvements and cost-saving benefits making it a no-brainer, organisations have been slower to implement online payslips than might be expected. There have also been cultural barriers, not least that employees need to get used to viewing their payslip online as opposed to receiving it in an envelope every week or month.

Today an increasing number of our financial transactions take place electronically, via cash machines and online banking services. Also with the increased use of the internet, we even pay for goods electronically. However when it comes to payslips, there still seems to be a slight air of distrust amongst workforces.

Online payslips are very simple to implement and are often a bolt-on to pre-existing HR and Payroll technology. They are very easy to implement in businesses where staff already have access to computers, the internet and/or a company intranet and if employees are used to working on a PC, they are less likely to have an objection to viewing their payroll online.

However, in businesses where there are less computers and employees are less comfortable with using technology, the online payslip may come up against some opposition. They will probably be less trusting of the system than those who are more computer literate and familiar with using one as part of their day-to-day job.

Many employees still find something exciting about holding a payslip in their hand. It is like a sense of security for them in that if something is wrong with their pay they have something to march down to payroll with! This is true, but there is nothing to stop the employee printing their online payslip out. It must also be said that the business should have a good IT structure in place to cope with the new technology.

The cost of implementing online payslips is not significant, but staff may feel that the company is 'wasting money' by introducing new technology. Staff should be informed that this is not the case and that the greener online payslips will both reduce paper usage and save on postage and envelopes, a benefit to both the company and the environment.

With everyone putting their trust more and more into online websites and banking, the risks of attack on our personal information is always out there. Staff may argue that having online pay information is unsafe and unsecure, again an argument that could be cleared up with a counter argument on our day to day technological world.

Online payslips are not for every business, it will depend on their size and culture. However if a business does choose to implement them, the benefits to employees should be put in perspective. They will have instant 24 hour access to their latest payslip and their pay information will be easily accessible from a central place, which is ideal if they need copies for obtaining a mortgage or bank loan.

If you are considering online payslips just take time to think about:

• What do you want to offer your employees?
• Will it be accepted by our employees, what is our business culture?
• Where will you host the service and is it secure?
• What are the benefits to our business?
• When will you implement it and do you have an implementation strategy?

Online Payslips contact us now for more information on implementing HR and Payroll software within your organisation.