Employee Matters

The Employee Compensation and Benefits Services staff prepares this column.

Direct deposit—getting paid is easy!

What is direct deposit?
Direct deposit is the electric funds transfer of your payroll into your checking or savings account at the financial institution of your choice, anywhere in the United States or Puerto Rico.

Must I participate in direct deposit?
Yes. Paper checks are no longer an option for any employee hired after July 1, 2004. The university directs that all employees participate in an electronic-deposit program for their payroll payments.

Is there a cost to sign up for direct deposit?
No. Many financial institutions offer incentives such as “free checking” to encourage participation in direct deposit. Campus ATMs offer easy access to your account, and most are free.

How reliable is direct deposit?
Your money will always be in the account you specify, even if you’re on vacation, in class, on a business trip or ill. Unlike a paper check, it will never be lost, stolen, destroyed or forged.

How do I sign up?

• Print and complete the form that is available at http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/pay-direct-deposit-auth-uw1032.pdf.
• Attach a voided check or photocopy (checking account only) and return the form to Employee Compensation and Benefits Services (EC&BS), 49 Peterson. You may also fax the form to 262-8436.

When will my payroll be deposited?
On payday, your money will be in your account at the opening of the financial institution’s business day.

Is there any reason why my pay would not be deposited in my account?
There are several reasons why your check was not electronically deposited.

• You may have enrolled after the payroll was calculated. To find out if your check was direct deposited, contact your financial institution, your payroll office or EC&BS. If your first check was not direct deposited, you will need to pick up your check at EC&BS, 49 Peterson.
• When you enrolled, if you did not submit a voided check or photocopy (checking account only) to verify account information, your direct-deposit form cannot be processed. The form will be returned to you.
• If you have been off the payroll for more than eight months, your direct-deposit status is deactivated. If you are re-employed, you must re-enroll.

What should I do if I change financial institutions?
You must complete a new direct-deposit form. If your account is closed, and you fail to notify us, receipt of your pay may be delayed until the money is received back from your former financial institution.

What if I want more information?
Visit the EC&BS web site: http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/ecbs/, or e-mail: employee@bussvc.wisc.edu.