A Commentary by ADP
With the right technology, payroll can be elevated beyond a transaction into a strategic HR advantage.
Kylie Baullo, Vice President Client Services, Asia Pacific, at ADP.
Key features and how they change workload/job scope
Intuitive user interface – HR and payroll platforms are no longer used exclusively by CHROs and CFOs. Employees themselves are contributors and users of data, and with remote work becoming a regular part of the post-COVID-19 workplace, it is crucial to provide accessibility to their payroll information. Creating HR and payroll applications with well-designed UX can improve the transparency of communication with HR or finance departments.
Cloud technology and automation – Legacy payroll processes are particularly susceptible to error, a situation that is compounded due to changes in compliance and working arrangements as a result from COVID-19. Digitisation reduces the labour-intensiveness of managing payroll, which results in greater efficiency and accuracy.
Data analytics – Data obtained from digitising HR and payroll processes provide visibility into company-wide performance and productivity. With measurable indicators of the employee experience, such as time and attendance, payment accuracy and career development milestones, business leaders can make better decisions to engage their workforce. Such data-driven insights will be crucial for developing robust talent retention and attraction strategies.
Scalability and adaptability – Organisations with employees or offices in multiple geographies need to stay on top of the constantly evolving regulatory landscape, across several jurisdictions. This means that HCM and payroll technologies need to be flexible enough to integrate with local needs and existing platforms.
How HR and payroll functions support each other
Payroll supports the workplace of the future as various types of employee benefits and payment structures emerge, such as vaccination-related claims, or the option to buy annual leave. More than ensuring punctual and accurate payments, a strategic payroll process allows the company’s remuneration models to align with evolving employee needs. Optimised, agile payroll and HR systems can provide real value to business continuity, help reduce risks of losing top talent and aid modelling future workforce operational scenarios for growth, all while managing the bottom line.
