October 2023 Payroll Question Time Recap: New Panel Members and Age Old Problems Solved!

Payroll Question Time, a monthly rendezvous of payroll professionals, returned this October with a stellar panel and a litany of intriguing topics that matter the most to payroll professionals today.

We were thrilled to welcome a fresh face to our panel – Karen Thomson, Director of UK Payroll & Employment Taxes at AAB. She took her place alongside our distinguished regulars: Simon Parsons, Richard George, Andy Nicholls, and our dedicated host, Nick Day.

1. Payroll Professionals & Tax Advisory:
   
   • Should payroll experts double up as tax advisors?
   • Payroll’s duty in Anti Money Laundering (AML) processes was dissected.
   • Discussions cantered on payroll's role in pensions, the nuances of due diligence, and potential risks.
2. Real Living Wage Updates:
   
   • The latest on the voluntary real living wage – distinct from the national variant.
   • The introduction of "real living hours" and its implications.
   • Debates on offering consistent hours to zero-hours contract employees.
3. Holiday Pay Insights:
   
   • A deep dive into the recent case involving the Police service of Northern Ireland.
   • Supreme Court's verdict on the 3-month linking and its repercussions.
   • Actionable takeaways for employers in the wake of the decision.
4. Disaster Recovery in the Remote Age:
   
   • The imperativeness of a foolproof disaster recovery plan was emphasized.
   • Discussions revolved around the influence of remote working on recovery strategies.
   • Insights on backup methodologies and their efficacy.
5. Fresh from SD Worx Academy:
   
   • A sneak peek into the free sessions for 2024.
   • A warm welcome to the new educators, Julie and Fiona.
   • Spotlight on "Payroll Benefits in Kind" and an invite to peruse the course calendar.
6. Pension Ponderings with Andy:
   
   • The latest shakeups in the pensions space were highlighted.
   • A look at recent pivotal cases.
   • An in-depth look at the pillars of compliance and auto-enrolment.
7. Hot Topics & Audience Q&A:
   
   • An interactive Q&A session where a wide array of questions from the audience was addressed.

On giving tax advice as a payroll professional:

• 12.5% said "Yes, when it's within my remit."
• 34.38% opted for "Sometimes, but with a caveat!"
• 53.13% admitted "No, it's not my area of expertise."

Regarding disaster recovery plans in businesses:

• 56.52% confidently stated "Yes, it's tested and we are confident."
• 23.91% were unsure, saying "I'm not sure – I hope so!"
• 19.57% candidly answered "No, we need to review this urgently."

Excited for more insights and discussions on payroll? Our next session is slated for November 23rd, 2023. Ensure to sign up for this treasure trove of payroll wisdom at SD Worx Payroll Question Time.

Stay informed and navigate through the intricate world of payroll with ease, backed by the expert insights shared in our monthly Payroll Question Time Webinars!