Bedford County transforms employee engagement and workforce efficiency with the implementation of UKG Ready solutions

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – In a groundbreaking move to enhance efficiency and employee engagement, Bedford County, Virginia, has successfully transformed its workforce operations, implementing UKG’s Ready® suite to revolutionize everything from recruitment to payroll management. This change is not just a technological upgrade but a cultural shift that is reshaping how the county’s employees are engaged, empowered, and supported across 21 departments.

Nicole Campbell, the director of human resources for Bedford County, emphasized the transformative impact of UKG’s solutions on the county’s operations. “UKG has triggered a seismic shift in how we keep our frontline workforce connected and engaged and has opened our eyes to what’s possible when you have the right partner and right solutions in place,” she said. “Our implementation of UKG Ready was more than a technological upgrade, it was a cultural shift for us. We have embraced efficiency, flexibility, and employee empowerment as cornerstones of our operations. The productivity gains we’ve achieved are not only measurable in hours saved but also in improved morale, enhanced delivery, and a workforce better equipped to meet the needs of our community.”

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For Bedford County, which employs over 650 full-time employees, workforce needs fluctuate significantly throughout the year. During certain periods, such as election cycles, the workforce grows to more than 1,100, adding to the complexity of scheduling and payroll management. However, with the integration of UKG Ready, the county has been able to streamline these processes efficiently, ensuring smoother operations, even during peak times. The suite’s ability to manage fluctuating workforce numbers has been a critical factor in ensuring seamless administration and operational flexibility.

One of the standout features of the UKG Ready suite is the real-time access it provides to employees, allowing them to view their schedules, track accruals, and access important information at their convenience. This accessibility has fostered a sense of transparency, autonomy, and trust within the workforce. Employees now have the flexibility to manage their work-life balance more effectively, which has in turn enhanced their job satisfaction and performance.

“Employees can now clock in and out of shifts digitally and submit timesheets electronically,” Campbell explained. “Our staff is no longer buried in paper, which allows them to deliver accurate and on-time payroll faster and easier. The time we used to spend on manual paper processes is now devoted to strategic initiatives that support organizational growth.” The automation of timekeeping and payroll tasks has not only saved time but also eliminated errors, leading to more accurate pay and a smoother payroll process across the county.

As recruiting and onboarding talent becomes an increasingly difficult task, Bedford County has turned to UKG Ready to streamline these crucial processes. Government organizations, in particular, face the challenge of competing with the private sector for top talent, and Bedford County is no exception. UKG Ready has helped the county recruit better candidates and onboard them more efficiently by automating and digitizing the entire process.

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“We’ve saved countless hours and mounds of paperwork by automating and digitizing our recruiting, onboarding, and benefits enrollment processes,” said Campbell. “We’re creating a better experience for new hires because we can communicate with them more quickly through UKG and they can complete forms electronically before new hire orientation.” The time-saving aspects of UKG Ready have freed up the HR department to focus more on strategic, long-term talent management initiatives, ensuring a smoother transition for new employees into the county workforce.

Communication has also been a challenge in Bedford County, especially when dealing with a multigenerational workforce. The diversity of age and technological experience among employees often made it difficult to keep everyone on the same page. However, UKG Ready has bridged that gap by providing a unified, easy-to-use platform that all employees—regardless of their age or technological skill—can access seamlessly.

“Not every employee has email, which can create challenges in communicating with our employees, especially first responders who work 24-hour shifts, in the field, or on-call schedules,” Campbell said. “Now that everyone has access to UKG and the UKG Ready mobile app, we can provide timely communications to bridge that gap along with access to timesheets, schedules, paystubs, and benefits, ensuring a consistent experience for all employees.” The UKG Ready mobile app has proven to be a game changer, enabling the county to communicate in real-time and offer employees easy access to essential information, regardless of their work environment.

Perhaps one of the most significant impacts of the UKG Ready suite has been on compliance and reporting. Managing compliance is crucial for any organization, especially in government, where regulations and standards are continually evolving. UKG Ready has streamlined these processes, making it easier for Bedford County to stay compliant with various reporting requirements.

By integrating the suite into their daily operations, Bedford County has not only improved internal workflows but also enhanced the overall employee experience. The ability to automate mundane tasks, streamline communication, and ensure timely and accurate payroll processing has led to greater employee satisfaction and improved productivity. The county now stands as an example of how embracing innovative solutions can lead to substantial improvements in operational efficiency and employee engagement.

Bedford County’s shift towards UKG Ready has marked a new chapter in workforce management. With the flexibility and tools to manage everything from scheduling and payroll to recruiting and compliance reporting, the county is better equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing workforce. As Campbell summarized, “The productivity gains we’ve achieved are not only measurable in hours saved but also in improved morale, enhanced delivery, and a workforce better equipped to meet the needs of our community.”

For Bedford County, this implementation represents more than just a technological upgrade. It is a cultural transformation, one that embraces efficiency, flexibility, and employee empowerment, laying the foundation for a more engaged, productive, and satisfied workforce that is well-positioned to serve its community for years to come.