Payroll & Reward

HR and payroll functions in Europe are under increasing pressure from talent shortages, rising costs, regulation and AI. Drawing on insights from the 2026 HR and Payroll Pulse, this blog examines the ten most pressing HR challenges organisations face in 2026.

Workforce planning has become a priority for European organisations facing rising costs, talent shortages and increasing automation. Drawing on insights from the 2026 HR and Payroll Pulse, this blog examines the most urgent workforce planning trends in 2026 and where HR teams remain underprepared.

Employee satisfaction in 2026 is closely linked to how organisations approach reward, recognition and financial well-being. Drawing on findings from the 2026 HR and Payroll Pulse, this blog explores what employees across Europe value most and where gaps remain. It outlines how clearer, more flexible reward strategies can better support people at work.

AI adoption in the European workplace is accelerating, but many organisations struggle to turn experimentation into lasting impact. In this interview, Professor Jason Pridmore shares insights on how AI is reshaping HR, payroll and the nature of work, drawing on findings from the 2026 HR and Payroll Pulse. The article explores trust, skills and the role HR can play in guiding responsible AI use

Payroll is becoming more closely connected to how organisations manage people, data and trust. This blog explores five key payroll trends for 2026, drawing on insights from the 2026 HR and Payroll Pulse and SD Worx expertise. It outlines what HR teams across Europe should consider when shaping future payroll strategies.

Is your organisation looking to change payroll providers, or thinking of starting a new payroll transformation project? Our simple to use RFP (Request For Proposal) template contains all the relevant questions you need to ask, to help your team analyse and compare providers.

The template includes 250+ questions to help you design a clear and effective supplier evaluation process, and can be personalised to ensure it is relevant to your project needs.

Knowing how to choose a payroll provider is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make for your organisation. Get it right and payroll runs quietly in the background, accurate and compliant. Get it wrong and you're dealing with errors that affect your people directly, penalties from HMRC, and the disruption of switching again.

Compare five UK small business payroll options, from free HMRC tools to fully managed services. Costs, compliance basics and how to choose.

Cloud payroll software lets you run payroll from a browser, on any device, without maintaining local servers or manually applying legislative updates. This guide covers what cloud payroll software actually is, how it differs from both desktop and managed payroll, the features and security standards that matter, and what moving to the cloud involves in practice.

Most UK payroll outsourcing providers charge per employee per month (PEPM), with a separate one-off implementation fee.

A practical guide to help growing businesses reduce risk, improve accuracy and stay compliant.

This year’s HR & Payroll Pulse report brings those pressures into focus, offering a clear view of where the foundations of work are holding and where they are starting to strain.