Public Employee Press

City launches virtual payroll system

Workers with direct deposit must make a request if they want to continue getting paper paystubs.

The city has launched a new “paperless pay stub” system, but the union has protected the right to a “hard copy” paper stub for members who want one.

On April 3, the city started a pilot program using its new Employee Self Service tool, which gives employees on-line access to their personnel information — including electronic pay stubs.

Under ESS, workers with direct deposit will no longer receive traditional pay stubs. Instead, their pay information will be available in their online account.

The pilot ESS program is in effect at the departments of Citywide Administrative Services and Information Technology and Telecommunications, the Financial Information Services Agency and the offices of Labor Relations and Payroll Administration. Other agencies will get ESS during the year.

In discussions on the new system with city labor relations and payroll officials, DC 37 pressed for members to have the option of a traditional pay stub, and the city agreed. To get one, contact your payroll administrator or use ESS to request it online.

Workers without direct deposit will continue to get traditional pay stubs, and the union recommends that members with direct deposit who don’t have access to a computer request the paper stubs.

The city is adopting the paperless pay stub system to comply with a 2008 local law aimed at protecting the environment by reducing the use of paper. The “green” legislation doesn’t cover the Health and Hospitals Corp., New York City Transit, cultural institutions, libraries and authorities.

ESS is part of the New York City Automated Personnel System (NYCAPS), which can be used to change tax withholding amounts, verify overtime, print W-2 and 1127 forms from previous years, and update name, address, benefit information and other personal information.

To access ESS from a city office, go to the Intranet Web site http://cityshare.nycnet/portal/site/cityshare, click on the Human Resources link, then Employee Self-Service and Employee Self-Service Log-In.

To access ESS outside of a city office, go to www.nyc.gov/ess at the city’s Internet Web site. Log in using your user ID and password. (Your user ID is the 7-digit employee ID/PMS reference number provided by your agency and listed on your paper paycheck.)