The holiday season is fast approaching, and we all know what that means: twinkly lights, festive cheer, and… payroll challenges galore! While the holidays are a time of celebration, they can also be a time of increased stress and pressure for payroll departments. We’ve put together a Holiday Survival Guide, designed to help you navigate this hectic time of year, without the added stress. Let’s dive in!
Managing Operational Efficiency
Plan and Prepare Early: Start preparations well in advance. Create a detailed timeline outlining crucial dates, deadlines, and tasks to ensure a smooth payroll process during the holiday season.
Organise Scheduling Challenges: Adjusting payroll schedules due to bank holidays, early office closures, or modified work hours will be necessary during the festive season. Make sure the team is aware and appropriate cover is in place.
Plan for Staff Shortages: With team members taking time off, ensure you have contingency plans in place. Cross-train employees/colleagues to fill in during absences. Leverage on-demand payroll support to bring in experienced payroll professionals as needed.
Organising a Seasonal Workforce
Recruitment Plans: If your business hires temporary payroll staff for the holiday season, ensure your recruitment and onboarding plans are in place well in advance.
Training and Support: Make sure seasonal employees/colleagues are well-informed and have access to the same support as the permanent staff in your team.
Payroll Support: Consider on-demand payroll support, to ensure accurate and timely onboarding, processing and offboarding of seasonal workers.
Holiday Pay and Tax Matters
Know the Rules: Ensure your team understand the legal requirements for holiday pay and overtime. Familiarise yourself with any changes in employment law that might affect holiday pay.
Audit and Check the Details: Double-check your payroll for any mistakes. Review holiday pay rates, bonuses, and deductions to ensure accuracy, errors in holiday pay can lead to disgruntled employees.
Communication
Clear communication: Communicate effectively with employees about holiday schedules, deadlines for submissions, and any changes in payroll processes. Make sure they understand the procedures for requesting time off, bonuses, or any adjustments.
Employee Query Support: Consider external support to assist with payroll-related queries. Ensuring employees are paid correctly and promptly while resolving any payroll queries can be a significant responsibility during the holiday season.
Resource Flexibility
Payroll Support: The holiday season often requires additional payroll resources, but hiring full-time staff can be costly and inefficient. Leverage on-demand payroll support to bring in experienced payroll professionals as needed.
Workforce Flexibility: Ensure you have a flexible workforce strategy that can be easily adjusted according to demand.
The holiday season should be a joyful and relaxing time for everyone, including HR, finance & payroll teams. By preparing in advance, utilising the right tools and services, and having a clear plan in place, you can breeze through the season without the usual stress and chaos.
As always, we are here to support you in your payroll journey. If you have any questions, need further information, or wish to explore how CR Payroll can assist your specific needs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
