Bedford County, Virginia has implemented UKG Ready software to manage its workforce operations, including payroll processing, compliance reporting, and employee communications across 21 departments with more than 650 full-time staff.
The county’s workforce nearly doubles to over 1,100 people during election cycles, creating management challenges that the new system addresses through automated scheduling and real-time access to employee information. The platform handles multiple payroll schedules, including monthly, biweekly, and separate library payroll processing.
“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,” said Nicole Campbell, director of human resources for Bedford County. “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.”
Digital transformation eliminates paper processes
The county replaced paper-based scheduling and timesheets with digital systems that allow employees to clock in and out electronically and submit timesheets online. Staff can access schedules and accruals in real time through the UKG Ready mobile app, improving transparency and workforce coverage.
“Our finance staff manages multiple payrolls, including monthly, biweekly, and a separate payroll for the library,” said Campbell. “Employees can now clock in and out of shifts digitally and submit timesheets electronically. Our staff is no longer buried in paper, which allows them to deliver accurate and on-time payroll faster and easier.”
The automation has freed up staff time previously spent on manual processes, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives including talent recruitment and onboarding.
Recruitment and communication improvements
The system has streamlined hiring processes by automating recruiting, onboarding, and benefits enrollment. Digital forms and electronic communication help the county compete with private sector employers for talent by reducing paperwork and speeding up the hiring process.
“Recruitment can be tough in government as we’re competing for talent alongside the private sector, but UKG Ready helps us recruit better candidates and onboard them faster,” said Campbell. “We’ve saved countless hours and mounds of paperwork by automating and digitizing our recruiting, onboarding, and benefits enrollment processes.”
The mobile app has improved communication with employees who don’t have work email addresses, particularly first responders working 24-hour shifts, field assignments, or on-call schedules. All employees can now access timesheets, schedules, paystubs, and benefits information through the platform.
Compliance and reporting benefits
The system has simplified compliance with Freedom of Information Act requests and other regulatory requirements. Information that previously took hours to compile is now available instantly through automated reporting features.
“As a government entity, we must adhere to the demands of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and may have to disclose information that is requested by the public,” said Campbell. “In the past, that has been a time-consuming endeavor, but that burden has been eased considerably with compliance in the UKG Ready suite.”
“AI-powered technology allows government agencies to transition from routine tasks to strategic initiatives, revolutionizing the way they serve the public,” said Chris Kiklas, vice president of SMB product management at UKG. “Through intelligence and data-driven decision-making, UKG technology empowers public-sector employees to concentrate on their core mission: supporting and serving their communities.”
The implementation demonstrates how local governments are modernizing workforce management systems to improve efficiency and employee engagement while maintaining compliance with public sector requirements.
