HRMS task force reports on progress
he Human Resources Management System (HRMS) Task Force, which formed in September, has been meeting with focus groups from the Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, and the River Campus as well as small groups of administrators and individual departmental staff to address issues regarding the new human resources system.
"Guidance from these groups, along with input from Faculty Senate and other sources, has provided the task force with insight into the most pressing issues," says Charles Murphy, associate vice president for human resources.
Murphy reports the task force has focused on achieving specific goals. As part of that mission, the group has generated two communications (one October 11 and another October 18) that provided the University community access to new reports, enhancements, and specific resolutions to reported problems.
The task force also has identified long-term (30- to 90- day) solutions for problems that are being resolved by University staff--issues addressed in part by the October 26 and November 5 status updates, available online at www.rochester.edu/hrms.
Recently, the HRMS team began the first of four open meetings to preview a newly created payroll screen. This will combine payroll-related information onto one screen that currently is found by timekeepers and time administrators on four or five screens.
"This is a remarkable improvement that came from user input," says Murphy. "And while the initial work of the task force appears to have generated significant improvement, the team will be surveying departmental timekeepers/approvers in December to measure the results of these efforts."
As part of its mission, the task force has consulted with outside resources to help address identified issues, including consultants from PeopleSoft who have been on site evaluating time and labor as well as general system functionality.
"While we have not received their formal reports as of this writing, we expect to report their findings and recommendations shortly, with implementation following closely," says Murphy.
"It was essential that the task force address the aforementioned issues without impeding progress on other essential operations. That goal has been met," he adds. "And while we have delayed formal implementation of additional functionality until after January, we are moving ahead with essential work to be fully prepared for year-end close and tax issues. The HRMS task force, along with Human Resources staff, will continue to work to improve system functionality. We welcome your continued input."
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