Time and Labor Project: UKG Ready Implementation

Human Resource Services has begun the process of modernizing NIU’s timekeeping and absence management processes by transitioning to UKG Ready Time and Accrual Manager.  The implementation will take place in phases with the first phase implementing UKG Ready Time. UKG is a leading provider of HR, payroll and workforce management solutions.

This move from our current paper-based system to a secure, cloud-based solution is part of our ongoing efforts to improve administrative efficiency across campus. With UKG Ready, employees will have access to a modern, intuitive interface for managing their time and attendance. This new system will automate and streamline the production and maintenance of timesheets and the recording of employee absences, significantly reducing the administrative burden on our timekeepers, administrative support and payroll staff.

Updates will be posted here as the implementation process progresses. We’ll answer frequently asked questions, provide details on previews/demonstrations and training opportunities.  We will also provide a mechanism for the campus community to provide feedback and our timeline for full implementation of UKG Ready.


News


Implementation Team

  • John Acardo
  • Liz Guess
  • Sandy Hess
  • Tammy Lexa
  • Irene Sanderson
  • Paul Dauksha
  • Dan Ihm
  • Mangaiah Chowdary Garikapati

Questions? 

Contact payroll@niu.edu.

Background

In 2021, the university completed its Administrative Efficiency Project. This project identified that time and labor (timekeeping) and absence management as top priorities for enhancing the employee experience. 

As part of this effort, the university surveyed employees who regularly work with these processes. The survey results suggested that implementing improvements could save over 15% of each employee's time. These time savings would allow staff to focus more on strategic projects that support students.

The alignment to the university’s strategic goals are:

  1. Alignment with University Goal 6 for resource development and fiscal responsibility.
  2. Alignment with sustainability efforts on campus.

The overall goals for this project are:

  1. Replace the paper-based processing of timesheets.
  2. Automate the collection of time records for hourly staff and student employees.
  3. Replace the paper-based reporting of leaves and absences.
  4. Automate the collection of leave and absence records.
  5. Automate the leave management connections to payroll.

The secondary goals for this project are:

  1. Consolidate the time clocks into one central source of time recordation.
  2. Replace the current SOEEA reporting tool.

Coming Soon: Resources for Supervisors

  • View change management documents and help.
  • Meet our change management team and ambassadors.
  • Review resources to help you learn about your role in and use of UKG.

Coming Soon: Resources for Employees

  • View change management documents and help.
  • Meet our change management team and ambassadors.
  • Review resources to help you learn about your role in and use of UKG.