The digital human resource portal has been switched on across all municipal regions as the City augments its analogue processes with technologically driven solutions.
The customised Employee Self-Service (ESS) portal grants staff members a single digital domain to update personal details, manage leave, access a new employee number and view their payslips, among other features.
Despite teething problems in its launch in recent weeks, Sanet Hancock, the Deputy Director for Transactional Shared Services, says the system is currently available Citywide.
“We’ve had some glitches due to the Covid-19 lockdown and have subsequently decided to only launch the payslip portal, which allows City employees to view their leave and payment information,” she says.
Employees without computers will be assisted through helpdesks set up at all municipal sites across Johannesburg.
“The manual distribution of payslips will continue for three months as an interim measure,” says Sanet.
This forward-looking approach is part of the municipality’s strategic priority to turn the Johannesburg
metropolis into a Smart City using technology to improve municipal functions and drive economic growth. Other plans include deploying the ESS application on a mobile platform to make employee data accessible and transparent to all end users. The City hopes the automation of HR functions will drive efficiency and boost productivity in the workplace.
Sanet says all City employees have been granted access to the system through login instructions from IT.
“However, those who aren’t able to connect must contact their regional, departmental or municipal entity field agent who will be able to assist.”
To log in, employees will need to use their newly issued SAP number, however, HR will run a hybrid system for as long as is required. The new SAP number has the following eight-digit series: 10005678 instead of the usual 30012345 sequence.
“The new payslip uses the old and new employee numbers (SAP number). We cannot disband any of the two and this will run concurrently. New employees will only receive the new SAP number,” Sanet explains.
The City had initially planned to train super-users who would then train the end-users of the system, however, this has been suspended for the interim due to Covid-19 social distancing protocols.
Payroll enquiries can be directed to all appointed field service operators, however, employees can contact Sanet Hancock on 011 407 6099 for general information.
Picture by Sompong
Rattanakunchon
