Facing Disaster with an Empty Wallet

Certainly, awareness is heightened. Employers are reviewing their disaster plans - including payroll distribution during a disaster. And considering the impact of Hurricane Ike on employees who couldn't access their pay when they needed it most, this essential area could use some attention.

Last year, during Hurricane Ike, FSV had the privilege of ensuring that more than 1,800 workers received their pay on PaychekPLUS! Elite® Visa® payroll cards. Without their cards, these employees would not have received wages because they were still receiving their pay via paper check. As businesses, what have we learned about protecting our employees in a disaster? They need access to their pay more than ever if hurricanes are raging off the coast or wildfires have destroyed hundreds of acres (and maybe their homes) or flooding has cut off them off from their checks. If they come in every payday to cash their checks, what happens if the building is gone? What if overnight and regular mail just can't get through?

To protect employees adequately, any disaster plan must include a reliable means of distributing payroll. At FSV, our clients may offer their employees our payroll cards primarily for the cost savings, but their disaster plans benefit, as well. In the event of a disaster, their paycard employees aren't concerned or waiting around for their checks on payday. Their pay is loaded directly onto their PaycheckPLUS! paycards, so - when employees need it most - their money is already in their hands.

There's simply no better way to distribute pay in a disaster. What's your plan for payday when disaster strikes?


Deneka Scott
Senior Vice President