Paper paycheck option unavailable to new employees hired on or after July 1

In accordance with state law, paper paychecks will no longer be offered as a payment election to new employees hired on or after July 1, 2023, including Civil Service, Administrative Professional, and faculty appointments.

This spring, the Washington State Legislature passed bill HB1361, updating statutes relating to state employee pay procedures. HB1361 requires that “state employees appointed on or after July 1, 2023 be paid only through electronic transfers of funds.” Read the bill summary here.

New salaried employees appointed on or after July 1 will have the following payment elections options:

• Direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing
• Receipt of funds on a pre-loaded payroll card

For a list of eligible and exempt employee types, contact Human Resource Services via the Workday Service Desk.

WSU is currently finalizing details related to a pre-loaded payment card option for new employees. More information will be provided about this option as it becomes available.

Existing employees receiving paper checks will not be required to select a new electronic payment option at this time. However, they are strongly encouraged to move to electronic payment. Electronic payment allows access to funds earlier, without postal delays or bank holds, or the risk of a paper check being lost, damaged or destroyed.

Reference guides and other resources will be updated as these changes take effect. More information will be provided on the Payroll and Modernization websites, via the Payroll listserv, and in the Workday Digest. Questions regarding these changes may be directed to Payroll Services.