Pay Cycle Change

In 2023, Columbus State is transitioning from 24 to 26 pay cycles (18 to 20 pay cycles for Faculty). Pay cycles will be 80 hours every two weeks (bi-weekly) for all full-time employees, not including overtime hours.

Currently, full-time non-exempt employees’ paychecks vary between 72 to 96 hours of pay per cycle, complicating their personal financial planning efforts. Columbus State is timing the pay cycle change to align with introducing our new ERP/SIS, Workday, to take advantage of the business process and system change opportunity.

Everyone employed by the College.

• There is no impact on annual salaries or hourly pay rates, but your gross per pay amount will change because it is being spread over 26 pays.
• Non-exempt employees will see a consistent gross pay each pay period.
• Exempt employees will continue to see a consistent gross pay each pay period, but it will be less since it is spread over 26 pays instead of 24.

• The college does not have a tool that will allow us to provide you details of what you net pay will look like after the change. 
• Your tax consultant may be able to provide you an estimate.

The bi-weekly pay schedule is being determined, more information is coming soon. 

• Employees will be paid bi-weekly, 26 pay periods/year, instead of semi-monthly, 24 pay periods/year, or 20 pay periods/academic year instead of 18 pay periods/academic year for faculty.
• Pay will continue to be two-weeks in arrears, except for remaining “real-time pay” employees.

A real time employee is an employee who has always been full time, whether exempt or non-exempt who began full-time employment prior to 8/1/2004, has not had a break in service,  and therefore, has not been paid one pay period in arrears.

• Sick and vacation time will be accrued across 26 pay checks per year, if eligible.
• For example, currently if you receive 5 hours of sick leave per pay (over 24 pays), it will now be 4.62 hours per pay.

These are calculated based upon your net pay and will be deducted from every pay.

• For all employees (except for 20 pay faculty - see below): all benefit deduction amounts, except mandatory retirement (SERS/STRS/ARP), Medicare, and garnishments will be withheld on the first two paychecks of the month.  For those months where there is a third paycheck, only mandatory deduction amounts listed above will be withheld from that third check (retirement, Medicare, and garnishments).
• For 18 pay faculty: benefit premiums and retirement deductions will change to a 20-pay deduction schedule. 
  • If you have a summer contract, you still have the option to make contributions to supplemental retirement.

• Since withholdings are based upon your gross pay, you will see changes in how much is withheld from each pay.
• Unless you make changes to your withholdings, your elections will stay the same. 
• You can make withholding changes in Workday once the system is live.
• Training on making changes will be sent when that function is available, which will be closer to implementation.

• Overtime will be calculated for time worked beyond 40 hours in a pay week, if eligible. A pay week consists of Sunday through Saturday.
• The overtime will be paid on the paycheck in the pay period after it has been worked.

• Activity pay is pay to an employee, such as an instructor, coach, etc., for an activity that occurs over a set period of time.  The pay for the activity will be paid in equal payments.
• Further information regarding activity pay will be provided as we  complete the project and have additional guidance to give.

• Pay will continue to be received via Direct Deposit or paper checks that will be mailed.
• Please consider direct deposit if you are not signed up!
• It may take one pay cycle before you receive your funds direct deposit (dependent on what part of the pay cycle you complete your direct deposit information)

Please contact paycyclechange@cscc.edu with any questions.