Virgin Trains invites bids for new HR and payroll system

Virgin Trains wants a solution that can integrate with existing HR systems

West Coast Trains has issued a tender on behalf of Virgin Trains for the provision of a new HR and payroll system.

Virgin Trains operates about 330 train services per day, serving 43 stations, 17 of which are operated directly. It employs over 3,100 staff, most of which are on a monthly pay cycle with some casual employees paid on a weekly basis.

"Our current system is able to manage and pay our employees and serve some of our HR information needs, but lacks the ability to grow outside its current functionality," the tender on the Official Journal of the European Union, said.

Virgin Trains said it was seeking expressions of interest from "like-minded organisations" for a solution that can integrate with all of its existing HR systems.

"We are seeking solutions for an integrated approach to all of our HR systems. This should start with the recruitment process and finish when an individual leaves the business. The system should map all of our employees' potential careers, promotions, competencies, training, refreshers, medicals and performance, as well as pay them through to leaving the business, either through redundancy, retirement or ill health," Virgin Trains said.

The length of the contract will correspond with the duration of the West Coast rail franchise.

The contract is worth up to £300,000 and is not covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).