Human Resource Services’ new payroll system experienced an obvious glitch Friday: the weekend.

The conflict arose when direct deposit checks were deposited while the printed checks waited in pigeon holes at Campus Mail Services in the Dorland Building.

The new payment system was introduced on Oct. 15. Because of extended banking hours, the NIU payroll department may only distribute printed paychecks the morning of pay day, rather than the day before, said Steve Cunningham, associate vice president of administration and human resources, in a letter to all NIU employees.

“This is the first time the payroll period has fallen on a weekend,” said Richard Leatherwood, manager of campus mail services. “But this is the way it has been for the past month or so.”

Currently, NIU employees have two options for payment: Automated Clearinghouse (direct deposit) or a printed check, which comes through the mail.

“From an audit aspect, the ACH method is most secure, quickest and easiest,” said Tom Morelock, human resource director of operations.

Although the payroll department has emphasized ACH, some employees still enjoy the feel of the check in their hands on pay day.

“I like to see what I am working for,” NIU telephone operator Joann Barry said. “The two systems shouldn’t be separated the way they are. It’s discriminatory to pay some before they pay the others.

“They should make it one way or the other,” Barry added.

Some employees believe direct deposit is the wiser choice.

“I get a check now, but direct deposit is probably easier and better,” said Steve Kukla, a junior business marketing major and Founders Memorial Library employee. “There’s no reason I haven’t switched yet, but I certainly intend to.”

The paycheck delay has no legal ramifications, either.

“There may be some inconveniences, but there are no legal implications in receiving the checks late,” general counsel George Shur said.

However, legal issues do surface if someone has not been paid in about 30 days, Shur added.

Since 1996, ACH has been endorsed by the Human Resource Services, and nearly all NIU employees have responded in favor of it.

“We have 76 percent of our employees using direct deposit while 93 percent of the payroll is paid out through ACH,” said Ken Mundy, manager of payroll and compensation.

The 24 percent of employees who receive a printed check will receive them today when the mail is delivered to their respective departments.