U-M to expand employee e-business on the Web

Updated 2:00 PM November 3, 2003

U-M to expand employee e-business on the Web

By HRAA and MAIS

For years, U-M students have been able to conduct much of their administrative business with the University on the Wolverine Access Web site, http://wolverineaccess.umich.edu. Soon, faculty and staff will be able to complete more transactions on the Web as well.

Starting in February, faculty and staff will be able to view their paycheck stub and leave-balance information through a secure connection, and students will be able to view their refund stub information. The following October, Web-based Open Enrollment is planned for faculty and staff, and retirees also will have the option of online enrollment.

Faculty and staff already can update addresses and phone numbers on Wolverine Access, but continuing enhancements will include other transactions, such as using the Web to update W-4 forms for tax purposes and to view specific information about their appointment(s), replacing the Notice of Appointment.

"The University has depended on paper processes for many human resource-related transactions in the past," says Timothy Slottow, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "We now have technology in place to streamline these processes and provide better service to our faculty and staff through the implementation of e-business applications."

Students and employees in administrative offices alike have embraced such Web-based systems, Slottow says. Students like easy, secure access to information almost anytime and from any computer. Administrators appreciate having more time to devote to students who have complex issues while still providing quality service to all students for routine business. And there are savings—reduced printing, fewer faxes and lower postage costs.

In addition to cost savings, there are gains in convenience, says Cheryl Soper, controller and director of financial operations. Wolverine Access will provide faculty and staff with virtually round-the-clock access to their own records. Self-service means updated information will become part of the official record immediately and reduces the opportunity for a data entry error.

"Our desire to create greater efficiency and convenience for the faculty and staff community is translating into a long-range plan that current technology is making possible," says Barbara Butterfield, associate vice president of Human Resources and Affirmative Action. "In fact, plans are underway to expand Web-based services beyond our internal community of faculty and staff by enabling an electronic employment process for a Web-based transmission of job applications and resumes in 2005."

U-M to expand employee e-business on the Web

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