In a trend towards paperless payroll, the Coca-Cola Company and Citibank have announced their intention to market payroll cards to restaurants and hotels nationwide. Payroll cards, which work like debit cards, have gained popularity as a way for employees to avoid check cashing fee charges and employers the cost of issuing a paper check. They are most popular in quick-service industries were employees are more transient and less likely to use direct deposit. However, because of language barriers, a distrust of banks, and confusion over how the cards work many employees still prefer paper paychecks.
See Jennifer Bayot, The New York Times, February 23, 2003