People First

People First is the state’s self-service, secure, web-based personnel information system and enterprise-wide suite of human resource (HR) services. The main Website used to access the People First system is https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com.

Prior to the implementation of People First, the state’s personnel information system was built on a 20-year old legacy system called COPES (Cooperative Personnel Employment Subsystem). It was used by state HR professionals only and did not allow for employee/manager self-service or 24/7 web access. Today, the People First system is used by employees, managers, HR professionals and retirees. The system streamlines and automates many of the state’s HR functions and is comprised of the following modules: payroll preparation, attendance and leave, recruitment, benefits administration, human resources management, and organizational management. The system is integrated with a current and historical database, the data warehouse.

Employees, job applicants, retirees, and benefits participants have 24/7 web access to their own personnel information at any time or can call an HR advisor at the service center (866-663-4735) from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time to receive additional assistance. The system currently supports more than 236,000 users. In addition, there are more than 1.9 million applicants using the job applicant module to search and apply for state positions and maintain their applications online. Since May 2003, more than 123,000 State of Florida positions have been posted in People First and approximately 8.8 million employment applications have been submitted for those positions.

The Department of Management Service (DMS) People First Team serves as contract oversight for the People First contract. Our team’s goal is to ensure the personnel information system is user-friendly, reliable, and meets the needs of its users. Most recently, on December 8, 2009, the DMS signed a five-year contract renewal with the Convergys Customer Management Group, Inc. - acquired by NorthgateArinso, Inc. – to continue providing HR services for the state. This contract renewal reduces contract cost by $45 million, improves services at the People First Service Center, includes new system enhancements, and strengthens the vendor’s performance metrics.

In the fall of 2012, the Team will roll out new and improved benefits screens to enhance our participants’ open enrollment experience. We’re excited about this and the many more upcoming system improvements 2012 has to offer. Stay tuned and please give us your feedback as we continue to better serve your needs!

Thank you for visiting our site, and we look forward to serving you in the future.

Sincerely,