From the June 2008 issue of Ceridian Connection

If you are sitting at your desk right now, surrounded by mounds of paper, and your phone is ringing off the hook, you may want to take a quiet moment. Breathe deeply. Focus your energies. Then do something that could change your world: consider Ceridian Self-Service.

Meeting expectations in a fast-paced world
"When we think about self-service," says Kellie Jones, Ceridian senior product manager, "typically the first thing that comes to mind is making pay stubs available online to employees. But self-service is much more than that. Ceridian Self-Service customers tell us that few things have made such a dramatic difference for them and their employees as our self-service solution. They know the power that self-service tools hold."

Jones explains just how far self-service has come since the early days of online interaction. "The shift over the past several years has made self-service pervasive in all aspects of our lives," she says. "So much so that it has become an expectation. Today, we expect that information -- and control of that information -- will be readily available to us."

When is the last time you went into a bank? Or actually interacted with a human when purchasing gasoline? Self-service is in all aspects of our lives -- in some instances we're even bagging our own groceries. And do you remember travel agents? In the past eight years, the percentage of all Americans who have bought or made travel reservations online has nearly doubled, according to a Pew Internet & American Life Project Survey. The same survey showed that 39 percent of all adult Americans have banked online -- a number that has also grown significantly."

Convenience is king
"Self-service," continues Jones, "has become a natural and enduring part of our lives. And it's no different in the world of HR and payroll information. Self-service is not just about reducing paper; it's about the automation of business processes. Employees who are so used to self-service in other aspects of their lives will expect the same thing in regards to their HR/payroll information. They want to sit home and enroll in benefits so that it's easier to discuss options with their spouse. They want to know if they increase their 401(k) election, what happens to their net paycheck. And there's an expectation that they can do this without having to pick up the phone."

Ceridian Self-Service gives employees access to their information 24/7. If you have not made the leap to self-service, consider the convenience you can offer to your employees.

Beyond the online pay stub
Self-service is not just about control for employees, says Jones. "Those in HR and payroll, the ones responsible for all this information, find themselves surprised and delighted by our self-service solutions. They can't believe the amount of control they gain in their day." Workflow capability in employee self-service solutions lets them review as much -- or as little -- information as they want before it updates their HR/payroll solution.

"And Ceridian Self-Service allows you to automate many of your business processes. For example, it can route changes based on an employee's division or department directly to the appropriate HR person responsible for that area. Do you have special approval processes for raises over a certain amount or for highly compensated employees? Ceridian's self-service solution can automate that for you."

"Ceridian Self-Service is known for its ability to produce a reduction in paper forms," Jones says. "With Ceridian's self-service solution, you'll certainly see a reduction in the mounds of paperwork." With a smile, she continues, "For one thing, you'll see a reduction in those lists you keep for all your processes. The ringing phone is no longer your enemy. This is a whole new way of looking at information, communication and cost savings. No one should overlook the possibilities and the power of Ceridian Self-Service."

Discover Ceridian Self-Service
Ceridian Self-Service allows managers and employees to better manage HR and payroll processes. With an online portal that fully automates transactions and employee changes that feed straight into payroll, your day gets easier. And employees are well served when they can have anytime/anywhere access to their own data.

Get faster access to better information, help your managers make better decisions and develop stronger internal controls. Ceridian delivers value that goes beyond the online pay stub. Expect:

• Complete employee directory
• Easy online benefits enrollment
• Employee access to view and enroll in classes
• Employee access to update key personal information such as emergency contacts and address changes
• HR/payroll reports accessible by managers -- for their employees only
• Fast posting and easy updating of HR forms and policies

Interested in exploring how Ceridian Self-Service can benefit your organization? Contact your Ceridian representative to learn more.