Editor's Note

As companies begin to analyze the potential costs, assess the options for employing younger staff, reconsider flexible and part time working, even apprenticeships, the role of payroll has never been more important.

Understanding The Minimum Wage Debate: The role of payroll has never been more important

Employee wages have taken centre stage following George Osborne’s first post-election budget that heralded the arrival of the National Living Wage. Coming at a time when annual earnings have risen at their fastest rate for five years – 3.2% annual rise to June 2015 – the announcement of a new compulsory living wage of £7.20 an hour for employees under 25, rising to £9 per hour by 2020, has sent shock waves through UK companies.

HRIS and Payroll Excellence Advertisers: December 2015

Shadow Payrolls: For non-resident employers

When an employer begins to assign staff to a foreign market, one of the first issues to be resolved is the manner of running payroll. As a non-resident company, the employer has a few options for payroll administration of resident employees. One of the methods available is to use a ‘shadow payroll’, which utilizes a non-cash payroll in either the home country or in the host country.

Festive Season Payroll Snags: A few tips to avoid snags

Be ready for any Questions about Bonuses Sit down with the accountant or the business manager well before the December pay run to calculate year-end bonus payments. Whether you're paying a bonus or not, communicate the news to your employees before payday so that they know what to expect. Be ready to answer any questions they might have.

Employee Handbook: Let your HRIS add value

The best employee handbooks need expert input, constant revision, and extensive communication. All these requirements discourage small and mid-size businesses. Employees do not give them the attention they require, and managers often act in conflict with the handbook policies. Your human resources information system can reduce your efforts and increase your employee handbook’s meaningful value.

Equal Pay, Transparency, And Fairness: Questions you should ask

With many stories in the media about people petitioning for higher wages and many entities of all kinds trying to find a way to minimize the income disparity between the top one percent of earners in the country and the bottom 99 percent, it is natural to want to make sure that pay is fair in your company. It can be a tricky business, so tread lightly and move carefully when trying to ensure fairness.

Overtime Cost: Strategies to manage it more effectively

When it comes to operating expenses, employee overtime is usually a big contributor. Overtime is generally undesirable as it increases your expenses and reduces employee satisfaction. While it has its uses and is sometimes unavoidable such as acting as a buffer when there is an unpredicted spike in demand, employee overtime can easily become a very costly liability if it isn’t managed properly.

Smartphone Use And Overtime Pay: What you need to know (for now)

I first wrote about the possibility of employees seeking unpaid overtime for time spent away from work checking emails on mobile devices all the wayback in 2007, and have kept writing about it since (for example, here and here). Now, more than eight years later, we finally have the first judicial decision on whether non-exempt employees are owed overtime or other compensation for this off-the-clock time. The result is a mixed bag for employers.

The HR Software Dilemma: Best-of-breed or unified solution?

Your HR department is overwhelmed, and you’re looking for a solution to cut down on their headaches. It’s to the point where Excel sheets, paper forms, and filing cabinets just aren’t cutting it. You’ve talked to team members and determined exactly what’s needed.