share sensitive employee data, such as family, health, bank and tax information, in more than one way. Cloud technology has had one of the biggest impacts: payroll data can now be stored and accessed more safely and processed for countries from anywhere. GPA: What roles outside of payroll have been very impactful in your work? Vijaya Nair: I learned very early how important it is to collaborate with other functions, because their actions land on payroll’s desk. To share an example from recent time, take the Russia- Ukraine war. Certain banks our employees used came under sanctions, and some banks pulled out of the country. We needed a new safe way to pay for our people. Payroll worked proactively with the banking and HR team to connect with employees and help open accounts at non-sanctioned banks, so employees were minimally impacted by the geopolitical situation. It is equally important to engage with Total Rewards (compensation and benefits), Controllership, Tax and IT for
Payroll can no longer be considered a passive, transactional activity. It is a highly technical role with a deep emotional impact on employees.
system changes. Whatever they decide affects payroll, and payroll implements it. I know they don’t intend to work in silos; they often just don’t realize their actions affect payroll delivery. That is why I insist that payroll needs a seat at the table when other teams are deciding on a new policy, not at the end of the decision- making process. Otherwise, payroll gets the memo last and the deadline first. GPA: How do you see the roles of those in global payroll evolving? Vijaya Nair: Payroll can no longer be considered a passive, transactional activity. It is a highly technical role with a deep emotional impact on employees. Those in global payroll need to consider the upstream HR processes that affect them, and the downstream impact they have on finance. It
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ISSUE 28 GLOBAL PAYROLL MAGAZINE
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