8 Ways To Improve Payroll Management For Employees
byTry When I Work for free
Today, employment is more than a simple means to an end. In the current business landscape, company culture is almost as important as salary.
Your employees are spending a significant amount of their time and energy working for you, and it’s important they enjoy this experience.
People want to work for companies that are modern, efficient, and dedicated to their employees. One aspect of your company’s culture is how you manage payroll. Choosing modern tools, like integrated payroll and scheduling platforms, can make payroll easier for everyone.
At its core, payroll is about appreciating your employees. Below is a list of six ways to improve payroll management to support your employees.
Key takeaways
- You can use payroll management to boost your company’s culture and increase employee engagement with a few features.
- Making the payroll process simple is a benefit that all employees appreciate.
- Payroll has the most direct effect on employees’ lives, so keeping it simple and accurate are the most important points.
8 ways to improve payroll management to support your employees
Check out these practical tips on how to use payroll management to increase your employee satisfaction and boost company culture.
1 Help employees save
According to Fidelity, there is a discrepancy between how much Americans think they’ll need to retire, and how much they’ve actually saved—to the tune of about $900,000. Saving for college is getting harder too. The cost of tuition has skyrocketed and the amount families end up paying is up 153% since 1982.
By allowing employees to split their paycheck into multiple bank accounts, you can help them reach their savings goals. Putting away a set amount or percentage of each paycheck into a savings account, while the rest is deposited into a standard checking account helps employees invest in themselves.
Starting early and regularly contributing to their savings, along with the power of compound interest, means they’ll be on their way to a new car or down payment for a house in less time and they’ll be happier employees because of it.
2 Give employees control of their personal details
When a new baby is born, an employee moves to a new apartment, or just wants to change their withholding information, they have to go through the payroll manager. That’s a waste of time for everyone involved!
Give them the freedom to view and change their payroll information at any time, from any device so they have control over their personal details.
A modern payroll service provider like Rippling, our preferred payroll and compliance partner, gives employees the freedom to view and change personal information from any device. Combined with When I Work, it creates a seamless experience across scheduling, time tracking, and payroll.
3 Use payroll as a communication tool
Don’t wait until your next quarterly or annual review to tell your employees they’re doing a great job. Payroll is an opportunity to acknowledge your employee’s achievements and reward them for a job well done.
Tell them how much you appreciate their hard work with a personal note. If one of your employees closed a major account or received a rave review from a customer, tell them with a note on their paycheck.
Rewards should also be personalized, such as a free lunch on an employee’s birthday, or company-wide incentives, like two extra vacation days for the quarter’s top seller.
The incentives, rewards, and personal messages you send out during payroll bring a level of fun and satisfaction to the workplace, while building loyal employees.
Related: 25 Employee Incentive Ideas To Motivate Your Team
4 Celebrate new hires together
When a new employee joins the team, it’s time for celebration—not mountains of paperwork. Smart payroll systems systems, especially those that integrate HR, compliance, and payroll, simplify onboarding. With platforms like Rippling, employee data only needs to be entered once, reducing paperwork, errors, and ensuring compliance from day one.
5 Simplify tax information
Withholding tax is often confusing, especially when Uncle Sam always seems to be increasing his take. And when payroll is processed in house, the taxes listed on the pay stub aren’t easily discernible.
But, by choosing a modern payroll provider, your employees will have instant access to their tax information in an easy-to-understand format. This results in empowered employees who have the information they need to make better decisions about the health of their future finances.
6 Invest in payroll processing software
For those of your employees who actually run payroll, investing in an easy-to-use payroll processing system pays dividends. When I Work combines employee scheduling and time tracking in one platform—and with integrations to providers like Rippling, you also gain access to benefits administration and compliance support. That means fewer manual steps, less risk, and more time back in your day.
7 Automate compliance to reduce risk
Compliance can be one of the trickiest parts of payroll. Modern payroll providers (like our preferred partner Rippling) automatically update tax codes, handle multi-state requirements, and ensure employee data is managed securely. Automating compliance isn’t just a time-saver—it’s a safeguard for your business.
8 Integrate scheduling and payroll for faster processing
Manual data transfer between schedules and payroll systems leads to errors. By integrating scheduling tools like When I Work directly with your payroll provider, you can run payroll in just a few clicks. This eliminates duplicate entry, reduces mistakes, and keeps employees confident that their paychecks are correct.
Why better payroll management means happier employees
There are a lot of ways you can use payroll to make life better for your employees. It’s about more than just getting an accurate, timely paycheck. Make it easy for them to live their lives the way they want and you’ll inspire loyalty and increase employee engagement. By pairing When I Work with a modern payroll provider like Rippling, you’ll not only improve payroll management but also strengthen compliance, streamline onboarding, and save valuable time.
Payroll doesn’t have to be a headache—it can be a positive, efficient part of your employee experience. Sign up for your free trial of When I Work today and see how it can help change your business.
When I Work preferred payroll partner
Make payroll simple with our preferred partner Rippling, an all-in-one platform for payroll, benefits, and compliance. Together, When I Work and Rippling help you save hours every week while reducing errors, staying compliant, and getting your team paid on time.
FAQs: Improving payroll management
How can payroll management improve employee retention?
Accurate, timely pay builds trust. Employees who know they’ll be paid correctly and on time are more likely to stay engaged and loyal.
What is the best way to reduce payroll errors?
Use integrated payroll systems that connect scheduling, time tracking, and HR data. This reduces manual entry and catches discrepancies automatically.
How does payroll compliance affect small businesses?
Small businesses face big risks if payroll isn’t compliant. Integrating compliance tools into payroll ensures accurate tax filings and avoids costly penalties.
