Professional June 2021

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Recruitment, retention, succession

Jerome Smail, business journalist, presents the views of several industry luminaries

F inding, retaining and developing colleagues in the payroll function can be challenging at the best of times but more than ever since the pandemic – particularly with increased remote working. So, what practical advice is there to assist and guide the professional? To find out, I spoke to five luminaries in the field: ● Nick Day ACIPP , managing director of JGA Recruitment Group ● Sam Johnson ACIPP , marketing manager for The Portfolio Group ● Liz Lay MSc FCIPPdip FHEA ACIPD , CIPP chair ● Maria Mason MCIPPdip , UK payroll director, business services & outsourcing, BDO ● Karen Young , director of Hays Accountancy & Finance. In many organisations, there will be a move towards using technologies and more customer self-service. How can you fast track that learning curve? Nick Day: Post-covid, many organisations are undergoing rapid digital transformation to help them unleash improvements

in productivity, talent management and flexibility. It is a steep learning curve for both employees and employers alike. The pandemic has accelerated and transformed how most people work, which has meant that working methods are being completely reimagined. It can be challenging for employees to keep up. ...recruitment is going through great change as organisations review their processes.

experience across multiple platforms and new technologies. It also gives you exposure to different industry sectors, volumes and frequencies, too. We would also recommend that payrollers are signed up to newsletters from different software providers as many now host their own webinars which can support their knowledge and learning of technological trends. Liz Lay: Learning is motivational. Due to coronavirus, the learning curve has significantly increased over the last twelve months. Learning new technologies at speed has enabled the profession to continue to provide its service. Linked to this, recruitment is going through great change as organisations review their processes. The need to take on more staff, whether through increased absence or growth, and unable to justify face-to-face interviews which require unnecessary travel, means interviews and assessments are being moved online and with the use of the technology available, creative solutions are being developed. Maria Mason: The payroll landscape is constantly changing, as most providers and clients will testify to, having witnessed what’s taken place over the past year. We are seeing an increased demand for

Organisations must invest in professional development both

internally and externally to help them accommodate the demands that these steep learning curves provide. It is also equally crucial that solid communication and collaboration processes are developed alongside learning pathways, so employees feel supported along these rapid digital learning journeys. Sam Johnson: If you are able to do so, temping can be a great way to gain

| Professional in Payroll, Pensions and Reward | June 2021 | Issue 71 16

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