Computerization: they're doing it wrong

[redbird]

Last week, my boss mentioned that the company is going to start using an online payroll/time system. Instead of time sheets on which to write codes for normal days, sick days, vacation, jury duty, etc., it'll be online. Information about our available time off will also be there. (I assume this is intended to save money.)

Today we got this email:

Due to our new Human Resources on-line information web-based system that is expected to be live for all employees by July 30, 2010, please be advised that effective June 15, 2010 payroll, you will no longer view your time off balances on your pay stubs. Once all employees are transitioned to view their personnel information on-line, you will be able to view this information there and document your time off.

Current process is still in place for tracking time-off, (Semi-Monthly Timesheets) until all employees are transitioned.

During this transition, please see $redacted if you have any questions on this topic.

Thank you for your patience.

Yes. Since they hope to have an online information system available by the end of July, if we want any information more current than the end of May, we have to go ask for it specifically.

What's unusual here is that they know and admit, up front, that they're cutting out the old system several weeks before the new one is available. With no reason given for why, since we're submitting data the old way, the information can't be printed in the old way for another 2-4 paychecks.

(We will gloss over the poor writing style of the email on the theory that it's not coming out of the editorial department.)

Comments

[jesse_the_k]

Oh joy! Nothing quite so swell as a crucial department admitting they're flying from a working system into a new one without backup. /0\

[adrian_turtle]

This would not fill me with confidence. *shrug* Document as best you can and hope some of the errors are in your favor. *hug*

[kate-schaefer.livejournal.com]

I worked on a remarkable number of HR/payroll conversions, 10-20 years ago. I would be very nervous about a conversion that had that long a period where the old system and the new system didn't overlap.

I assume you'll be keeping detailed records of your own time for comparison purposes, and perhaps getting your boss to sign off on your details. I wouldn't expect an effort to defraud employees, given the background you've given on your employers, but that is definitely a recipe for mistakes and very bad change control.