It was recently announced that under new reforms employees will be able to request the right to work at home from the first day on the job. The laws to protect flexible working are yet to be confirmed, but this certainly proves that our working habits are changing.
In fact, the number of UK workers on flexi-time employment contracts has risen from 3.2 million in 2013 to 4 million in 2021. As more employers are introducing hybrid and flexible working arrangements – and more employees demand them – we want to find out what it means for payroll departments and their systems.
The unsung business heroes
First, we need to acknowledge the perseverance and professionalism of payroll departments through the pandemic. As key workers, they kept the global workforce paid on time and correctly, despite the unfamiliarity of newly-launched furlough scheme and all the distractions that came with remote working. Often undervalued, payroll departments have shown great flexibility and agility, and are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
End the reliance on legacy systems
For too long, however, they have been relying on not-fit-for-purpose legacy systems and siloed data. And unfortunately, that’s because of poor past experiences in adopting newest technologies. Many departments have tried to implement an integrated HR and payroll solution, but it could seldom provide the economies of scale. And this has put many off from trying again.
Advancements in HR and payroll software have come a long way, offering scalability, flexibility, ease of use and integration with other systems. Our HR and payroll solutions have brought many benefits to payroll departments in both public and private sectors, especially now that flexible working is becoming more popular and new legislations seem to appear almost every month.
The integration of HR and payroll software can significantly help payroll professionals improve their accuracy and ensure compliance. Many employees are now making use of flexible hours, so it can be difficult to tell how much they should be paid if they are on an hourly rate. The number of staff can often vary if bringing in freelance or temporary support too. With employees coming and going, an integrated solution can help keep the records automatically updated and synced up with payslips, reducing repetitiveness and unnecessary administrative work. A single set of up-to-date data and streamlined processes can give payroll professionals total confidence in their compliance, improve their job satisfaction and employee engagement throughout the businesses. As everyone is happier when they are paid on time and correctly.
Drive your business forward
Payroll departments are the backbone of any organisation. When they run smoothly, business leaders can sleep better knowing they are fully compliant with all the regulations and their employees have been accurately rewarded from their hard work. They can then move forward with their growth and innovation plans, reaping the benefits of a highly engaged workforce.
Therefore, it is time to support the expertise of today’s payroll professionals and implement a seamless and integrated HR and payroll solution that will relieve them of tedious admin tasks and improve their efficiency and accuracy.
If you want to find out how our HR and payroll services can benefit your business and payroll departments, contact our team today.
