Direct deposit takes the “hassle” out of getting paid

When the snow storm hit last December, icy conditions delayed mail delivery in certain areas, and it’s possible some employees had to wait for their paycheck to arrive.

Yet, the 90% of our employees who are paid by direct deposit could readily tap their pay on payday without having to worry about mail delivery or icy conditions.

We may not see another December snow storm for a while, but what if a major flu pandemic, earthquake or other natural disaster strikes the Puget Sound region?

If you still receive a paper paycheck, mail delivery might take days or weeks. Instead, if your pay is electronically deposited directly to your bank, credit union or savings account, you won’t have to worry at all – it will be automatically deposited on your scheduled payday.

Through direct deposit, employees have also eliminated the hassle that can occur:

• When they take a trip during one of the long furlough weekends that includes a payday.
• When they’re at home with a cold or the flu and can’t get to the bank to deposit their paycheck.
• When they’re away on vacation and need some cash from their latest paycheck.

If you’re one of the 10 percent of employees who still go to the bank to cash your paycheck, consider making the switch to direct deposit sooner rather than later. It’s convenient, flexible, confidential, safe and secure, and no direct deposit has ever been lost in the mail or stolen. You can even deposit your money automatically into multiple accounts at different financial institutions.

Plus, when you switch to direct deposit, you save valuable county time and money – staff time required to issue paper checks, and savings from reduced payroll transaction costs.

It takes just two steps to make the switch:

• Complete the county’s Payroll Direct Deposit Authorization Agreement, and
• Return the agreement, along with a voided check for a checking account deposit or a savings deposit slip for a savings account deposit, to your department or division payroll representative.

Your direct deposit will be delayed by a payroll cycle to allow time for Payroll Operations to verify your banking information. But, after that happens, you’ll be able to enjoy the convenience and security of having your pay deposited directly into your account on payday no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

For more information about direct deposit, read our answers to frequently asked questions, talk to your payroll representative or call Payroll Operations at 206-263-9356.