Department of Management Services

People First

What is the purpose of the program?

People First is the state's outsourced human resource (HR) initiative. It is a self-service, web-based information system. The system streamlines and automates many of the state's HR functions and promotes paperless processes such as timesheet submission, benefits transactions, and direct deposit. The system allows HR professionals, state employees, managers, job applicants, retirees, and benefits participants to access personnel information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other services include staffing tools, workforce data, payroll preparation, and benefits administration. Employees can call an HR advisor at the People First service center for additional assistance. The system currently supports more than 232,000 users.

How does DMS manage human resource transactions for the state?

The Department of Management Services (DMS) contracts with NorthgateArinso, Inc., to operate the People First system. The service provider contract stipulates performance standards and minimum service levels. Department staff oversees the contract to ensure compliance with contract provisions and that the human resource information system is reliable and meets user needs. For Fiscal Year 2019-20, People First met 301 of 312 performance metrics, achieving 96.47% of the standards as measured on a monthly basis. The service provider faces financial penalties if a performance metric is not met.

Are state agencies satisfied with People First services?

According to the department's 2020 People First annual survey, 86.5% of the respondents who used People First said they were satisfied with the overall performance of People First, an increase of 4.9% from the previous year. The department also uses the number of customer calls to the service center as an indicator of customer satisfaction. The number of calls to the service center in Fiscal Year 2019-20 was 14% lower than the number of calls in the previous fiscal year.

How are these activities funded?

Fiscal Year: 2021-22
Fund Salary Rate/ Position General Revenue Trust Funds
SALARY RATE
1,015,196
POSITIONS
15.00
SALARIES AND BENEFITS
FROM STATE PERSONNEL SYSTEM TRUST FUND
1,488,024
OTHER PERSONAL SERVICES
FROM STATE PERSONNEL SYSTEM TRUST FUND
8,000
EXPENSES
FROM STATE PERSONNEL SYSTEM TRUST FUND
105,506
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
CONTRACTED SERVICES
FROM STATE PERSONNEL SYSTEM TRUST FUND
12,075
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
RISK MANAGEMENT INSURANCE
FROM STATE PERSONNEL SYSTEM TRUST FUND
3,380
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
LEASE OR LEASE-PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT
FROM STATE PERSONNEL SYSTEM TRUST FUND
2,860
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
TRANSFER TO DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES - HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES PURCHASED PER STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM STATE PERSONNEL SYSTEM TRUST FUND
5,611
SPECIAL CATEGORIES
HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES / STATEWIDE CONTRACT
FROM STATE PERSONNEL SYSTEM TRUST FUND
29,828,201
DATA PROCESSING SERVICES
DATA PROCESSING ASSESSMENT - DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES
FROM STATE PERSONNEL SYSTEM TRUST FUND
8,598
TOTAL
0
31,462,255

Updates

Contract Renewal. In December 2020, the contract between the Department of Management Services and the service provider NorthgateArinso, LLC ,was renewed for five years, for the period beginning August 21, 2021, and ending August 20, 2026. 

Online Benefits Statements. Starting with the 2021 Open Enrollment period, People First implemented online benefit statements within the People First system, making the statements available to employees two weeks prior to the Open Enrollment beginning. Employees can also go back and access benefits statement whenever needed.

Total Compensation Statements and Estimator. On December 31, 2020, People First implemented a new process that allows employees to view their Total Compensation Statement in the People First System. The statement provides a comprehensive view of the value of their total State of Florida employee compensation.

 In October 2020, People First completed the process of purging older data stored in the People First data warehouse. A total of 1.9 billion rows of data were removed from the data warehouse. The new process will allow for an annual purge of older records, keeping only those required under data retention rules.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
State Personnel System, Annual Workforce Report, 2018-2019, Department of Management Services.

State Personnel System, Annual Workforce Report, 2017-2018, Department of Management Services.
State Personnel System, Annual Workforce Report, 2016-2017, Department of Management Services.
State Personnel System, Annual Workforce Report, 2015-2016, Department of Management Services.

Websites of Interest
State of Florida Employment

Performance Information


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Sections 110.116, 215.93, and 215.94(5)(a)-(d), Florida Statutes.

Whom do I contact for help?

Jimmy Cox, Director, 850-413-9579, email:  jimmy.cox@dms.fl.gov

People First Customer Service Specialists, Job Seekers and Applicants, 1-877-562-7287

People First Customer Service Specialists, State Employees and Retirees, 1-866-663-4735

Website