Paperless Payroll Trends

Years ago, I read an article that questioned the longevity of workplaces trending towards the paperless office. The writer, whose name escapes me, said the paperless office was as unlikely as the paperless toilet.

He may be right; but not because organizations aren't trying.

One of the newest workplace trends towards making the paperless office a reality, is paperless payroll. Many companies have already changed over to electronic time cards, online pay stubs and so the paperless payroll is just the next step.

My first experience with the paperless payroll was when my teenage son was given a reloadable paperless payroll card at work.

For companies the benefits are clear, says ADP one of America's largest payroll service providers - Lower costs for replacement payroll payments, mailing, storage and loss prevention. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, an agency of the Department of Treasury, says employers can save about $2.00 per check by going to paperless payroll.

Before you think the paperless payroll trend won't impact you or someone you know; think again. Effective May 2011, all new recipients of Social Security Administration payments will receive paperless payments. Existing recipients will have until 2013 to move to paperless payroll. According to the Federal Eye at the Washington Post, the move to paperless payments should cut $48 million in government postage costs and save taxpayers approximately $303 million in the first five years after the switch.

It's a little strange to see government becoming more efficient than private employers, but I guess the proof will be in the rollout.