The City of Detroit has adopted UKG’s HR and payroll technology to manage its 9,000-person workforce, resulting in improved employee performance and more accurate pay processing across more than 100 collective bargaining agreements.
The implementation comes as Detroit continues its economic recovery following its 2013 bankruptcy filing. The city now uses the UKG Pro suite to handle payroll, scheduling and performance management for employees across 20 departments, agencies and boards serving more than 600,000 residents.
Accurate payroll processing addresses longstanding issues
For the first time, Detroit can properly align and automate payments for its dozens of collective bargaining units, ensuring employees receive accurate and timely pay. The system includes UKG TeleStaff, a public safety scheduling tool deployed by the city’s fire and police departments.
“With UKG, our culture has shifted to one of continuous improvement and accountability,” said Bennie Tolbert, project manager for the office of the chief financial officer at the City of Detroit. “We transitioned several outdated systems to the flexible UKG Pro suite as a single source of truth for our people data.”
Data insights help solve operational challenges
The technology provides Detroit’s managers with workforce analytics that have helped identify and address specific operational problems. Data analysis revealed that night shifts had the highest absenteeism rates, prompting the city to add a night-shift premium that improved attendance.
“UKG has helped us move into the 21st century, and we now have a more proactive approach to data,” Tolbert said. “Our department directors historically struggled to determine which shifts were experiencing the highest rates of absenteeism. UKG data insights showed us that night shifts were the biggest problem area.”
Language preferences guide training programs
The city also uses workforce analytics to better serve its diverse employee base. Analysis of employee language preferences showed Spanish was commonly spoken among staff, leading Detroit to offer training materials and videos in Spanish across departments including fire and water services.
“We used people analytics in our UKG Pro suite to pinpoint that Spanish was one of our employees’ preferred languages, so we were able to tailor our trainings and offer videos in departments from fire to water in the language they speak,” Tolbert said.
Performance management program sees widespread adoption
Detroit implemented a new performance management system that includes goal setting, mid-year reviews and annual evaluations. The program was adopted by 85% of city departments and earned Detroit a UKG Innovation Award in 2024.
“UKG allows us to create a culture of continuous feedback,” said Benn Bukovac, HRIS manager for the policy, planning, and operations division at the City of Detroit. “Managers are encouraged to conduct check-ins with their team members to discuss progress, provide feedback, and adjust goals as needed.”
The shared data and insights have unified teams from management to frontline staff by creating an environment of trust and transparency across departments, according to Tolbert.
“Detroit’s digital transformation is a pivotal moment in history for the city, marking a new era of innovation and efficiency,” said Rachel Barger, president, go-to-market at UKG. “With our unique data insights combined with a deep portfolio of vertical-specific solutions, UKG is uniquely positioned to help government agencies navigate the challenges of today’s rapidly changing workforce.”
