2. To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what plans it has to make the online payslip service more user friendly and easier to access. (S5O-00762)

The eHR online payslip service was introduced in 2010 to ensure that payslips were readily accessible on demand to members, members’ staff and Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body staff. That has provided enhanced security along with environmental benefits, such as saving paper, and significant cost savings.

We welcome user feedback, of course, and supplementary systems are based on previous user feedback. An upgrade was completed in 2015, making it easy for users to reset their password on an automated, self-service basis to avoid delays in access outwith normal business hours.

I t used to be that the onus was on the employer, or the Parliament, to get the payslip to the employee or member. Now, the onus has been switched and the staff member has to go and look for it. I have met staff members who have given up because the system is so hard to use and who have not seen their payslip for months. The issue also raises the wider question whether the information technology system is there to serve us or we are there to serve it. Previously we lost the

Business Bulletin, we have lost the committee papers, and now we have lost payslips.

It will perhaps be useful if I spell out the current position on hard copies. Hard copy payslips and P60s are issued to the home addresses of those users who do not have online access, such as users who are on a career break, long-term sick leave or maternity leave and MSP pensioners.

We have no plans to change our current system, but I will ask officials to contact Mr Mason directly in order to be as helpful as possible and try to resolve the problem.