04:05 Issue 14

“Lenders don’t care about your excuses; they see gaps in salary payments as red flags.” The twist? Don’s mortgage application was due that very week. What should have been a routine administrative process nearly derailed

If payroll knows on Wednesday that Thursday’s payments will fail, why isn’t there a company-wide email explaining the situation and timeline for resolution? Even if it’s a “we don’t know yet”.

months of planning. When Payroll Becomes the Scapegoat Here’s where it gets

Management decisions that impact processing deadlines “We’re often the messengers getting shot,” admits Claire, a payroll specialist with 15 years’ experience. “People need someone to blame, and we’re the visible face of the problem.” The 24-Hour Reality Check The harsh truth about emergency payments? Most banks require 24 hours minimum for bulk transfers, if you have the funds available to move. Same-day payments for individual staff members? Possible, but expensive and time-consuming when you’re dealing with hundreds of employees.

This is where communication becomes crucial. If payroll knows on Wednesday that Thursday’s payments will fail, why isn’t there a company-wide email explaining the situation and timeline for resolution? Even if it’s a “we don’t know yet”. The Ripple Effect at Home The human element often gets overlooked. Don’s stress became Michelle’s stress. Suddenly, their evening was consumed by financial anxiety, contingency planning, and damage control. Don’s job satisfaction, which comes from leading a successful team? Gone, replaced by the awkwardness

interesting, and where we need to defend our payroll heroes. Not everything that goes wrong is actually payroll’s fault. They can only work with the information they’re given. Consider these common scenarios: New starters whose paperwork arrives last minute Late timesheets with incorrect dates Bank file issues that originate from IT systems

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ISSUE 14 GLOBAL PAYROLL MAGAZINE

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