HR update: Lake County ramps up Workday ERP, bargaining and safety training

Human Resources Director Darcy Edcock and Deputy HR Director Caitlin Everett briefed the committee on workforce initiatives, the county’s Workday (ERP) implementation and labor‑management activity.

Edcock said Workday modules for HCM, payroll, scheduling and recruitment are being built and will eliminate paper personnel action forms and manual time cards, improving reporting and hiring analytics. “The efficiencies gained will be priceless,” Edcock said, noting integration, reporting and change management tasks remain.

Staff also reported active bargaining with several unions, a new retirement consultant for the 457 plan (Creative Planning), an organizational development position filled in January 2025 to support countywide training and a safety program that has resumed CPR/AED courses for safety champions with plans to expand offerings to employees and board members.

Risk and loss control staff described proactive site visits and drills (fire and tornado exercises) and said AED placement is determined by building layout rather than a fixed ratio. Committee members praised the renewed emphasis on safety training and improved HR data dashboards to track hiring sources and turnover metrics.

HR said bargaining timelines are uncertain and some contracts may extend into the summer; the department asked the board to watch timelines closely to avoid multiyear arrears.