Vlog - HR Tech World 2016

Q&A with our Payroll guru: Your furlough & SSP questions answered

Our resident payroll and legislation guru answers your questions about furlough and SSP.

5 ways our Payroll Gurus can support you through COVID-19

We’re here to help your payroll stay consistent during uncertain times. Find out how our experts can support you during this time.

Furlough advice: Debunking salary sacrifice and benefits myths

Debunking furlough myths in relation to salary sacrifice arrangements.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: How to make a furlough claim

What is the process of putting in a claim for furlough? We get to grips with the steps you need to undertake.

Workforce management, your secret weapon in a crisis (and beyond)

The right workforce management module can help businesses stay afloat during these tough times and avoid common pitfalls.

3 measures to support your home workforce

Hundreds of UK businesses have asked staff to work from home to combat Coronavirus. Can these measures help your remote workforce?

Our Sales Director's guide to motivating your remote team

In our second #KeepItHuman interview, Oliver Mead, SD Worx Sales Director, discusses how he’s helping his team to adapt to remote working.

How does COVID-19 affect employee pensions?

Discover how Coronavirus is affecting employee pensions and get to grips with The Pension Regulators advice.

Latest SD Worx Covid-19 Customer Information

Discover the latest customer information update from SD Worx regarding the Covid-19 virus. 

Our Payroll Services Director's tips to keep operations running smoothly

Paul Thickett, SD Worx Payroll Services Director, shares how he’s keeping the UK paid and motivating his team during this challenging time.

Keep Britain Paid: Statutory Sick Pay Guidelines for employers

We’ll help you make sense of the government’s advice on Statutory Sick Pay and taking care of your employees during COVID-19.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – What you need to know about ‘furlough’

Has your business temporarily closed? Find out how the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme could support your business. 

Out of office: How to prepare for holiday leave this summer

With summer just around the corner, businesses face the inevitable yearly challenge of balancing an influx of annual leave requests with keeping the company running at full capacity. Absence management is a vital, yet often overlooked part of running a business – get it wrong and the impact of summer holidays can last all year round.

The Living Wage: Engagement, Efficiency and Empowerment

I just don’t understand why organisations do not see the Living Wage, and I mean the Living Wage, NOT the government’s rebranded minimum wage (National Living Wage), as an *opportunity*. This is an opportunity to increase “engagement”, “efficiency” and to “empower” employees. Yet far too many organisations just see it as yet another cost they have to accommodate.

Using Analytics and AI to Build a Better HR Strategy

More than anything, this year’s data highlights the need for a new and more agile approach to HR. Conservative strategies simply aren’t going to cut it going forwards, because by the time the ink is dry, things will have moved on. Increasing business agility is now the #2 business driver for 86% of HR professionals, second only to increasing performance and profitability.

Where to start when implementing a T&A system - Part 1

This article covers all aspects of T&A functionality ranging from how to create effective workload plans, building rosters, collecting and validating variable time information, implementing business and legislative validation, and finally ensuring correct payments to employees by integrating with an industry-leading payroll solution.

Pick n Mix - How to reward your employees! Part 2

How do UK businesses tend to approach reward currently? Is there a shift in approach and if so, what is causing this?

Pick n Mix - How to reward your employees! Part 1

How do UK businesses tend to approach reward currently? Is there a shift in approach and if so, what is causing this?

2018 is all about Digitising your HR Function

Autonomous Vehicles And Smart Warehouses Are So Last Year – 2018 Is All About Digitising Your HR Function.

Hear from our CEO Steven Van Hoorebeke during an interview with The Business Debate.

4 ways to practice healthier habits around the office

Most Human Resources departments work to maximise the bottom line of organisations, many HR professionals tackle this objective by focusing primarily on corporate health and wellness. The thinking here is fairly simple – if you can build a healthier workforce, they’re likely to be more productive each day, which ultimately translates to a more profitable business.

SD Worx European Conference: Driving Collaboration in the HR and Payroll Industry

On 6^th February at Hilton Park Lane in London, we joined HR and payroll professionals from across the globe for the SD Worx European Conference 2018. With the "Future of Collaboration: HR leading the way" theme, this one-of-a-kind event played host to industry-leading experts, practitioners and organisations.

Top 10 benefits of working from home

Improved productivity heads the list of the top 10 benefits of working from home. As more workers seek a greater work/life balance, working from home is becoming increasingly popular.

Time, technology and talent: what five generations want from today’s workplace

Millennials: entitled, lazy job hoppers. Gen X: cynical and poor team players. Baby Boomers: out of touch, independent, money-driven workaholics. And what about the iGen: those house-bound, tech-obsessed kids who were born with a smartphone in their hand? These stereotypes are bandied around regularly, but is there really any truth in them? And do different generations expect to be treated differently by their employers?

Payroll Services Alliance attends SD Worx European Conference 2018

On Tuesday 6^th February, at Hilton Park Lane in London, we were delighted to join our partner SD Worx at its European Conference 2018.The theme for the day was close to our heart: ‘The Future of Collaboration’. This unique event played host to the industry's most influential experts, practitioners and businesses, attracting leading HR and payroll professionals from all over the world. 

A reflection of my first SD Worx European Conference

Adam Burgess, Business Development Manager at SD Worx UK & Ireland reflects on his first experience of an SD Worx conference. SD Worx hosted its 22nd Annual European Conference at the Park Lane Hilton in London in February 2018, with "The Future of Collaboration" as its 2018 theme.

Multigenerational workforce; are the differences a myth?

At the SD Worx European Conference, held at the Park Lane Hilton on Tuesday 6 February, a panel of six individuals from different generations gave their thoughts on age-based stereotypes, their personal values, career aspirations, the challenges they’ve encountered and what, if anything, can be done to address the differences between the age brackets within the workplace.  

Egos are not present within our business: A reflection of BKO 2018

As a Business Development Manager, I am often invited to most company events. Certainly anything client or prospect facing, and usually internal gatherings too. The SD Worx Business Kick Off 2018 was no different. Hosted in Manchester over the course of 2 days, we had a packed agenda and over a hundred colleagues in attendance, all ready to be WOW’ed.

The new era of HR: digital transformation

With the aim to build a model employee experience, HR departments are compelled to rewrite the rules by revolutionising talent practices. Human resource management is designed to maximise staff performance, and the HR department should be a key component in an organisation’s digital transformation.

Top 3 technology trends set to shake up HR and Payroll

Technology is the wheel that never stops turning. If Moore’s Law is to be believed, the sheer power of processing units will have doubled within two years – and that means plenty of new pieces of tech that could shake up HR and payroll processes. With that in mind, here are three technological trends that could significantly alter your industry.

Don’t believe the hype! Lip service with the ISO 27001 standard

As an employee who has the privilege of representing SD Worx to an awful lot of prospective clients, I get to hear what’s important to the market straight from key decision makers. ISO 27001, and data security in general, is one of the hottest topics in our market space.

The end of the road for the company car?

With the ever-increasing benefit costs for company cars for both the employee and the employer, and the new rules for Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OpRA), is a company car as cost-effective as it once was?

Christmas is coming to payroll teams

During Christmas and the associated holiday season, payroll managers experience some annual adjustments and events. Simon Parsons takes us through some of the festive benefits – and the associated tax implications.

New Year resolutions – preparing for the UK new tax year

UK payroll managers have a new year window of 3 months to prepare for the much older UK (and Isle of Man) new tax year start. With the setting of new year resolutions, it is a good time for payroll professionals in the UK to review their preparations on items which are not purely system change, but challenge process and rules within employment.

It works to say 'Please' and 'Thank You'

In our fast paced world, it can sometimes feel like people are out for themselves, chivalry is on the way out, and people say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ less and less. I find myself more often than not standing in front of till making a purchase, and when the transaction is complete I say ‘thank you’ but receive no response in return. I leave annoyed.

It's all a question of gender!

Read Simon Parson's latest blog where he answers the frequently asked question: 'Do you know if HMRC are likely to want us to include more options for employees that may be transitioning or don’t identify themselves with either gender?'

AI & HR: the impacts on the transactional processes in Human Resources

The terms artificial intelligence and robotics are often used synonymously but are quite different, albeit complementary, in their application. Robotics, in simple terms, means process automation - using technology to remove human intervention in some of the lower value add activities such as information keying, data analysis and performing complex calculations. Artificial intelligence is a somewhat different concept

The Path to Gold (Part 2 of 2)

Traditionally in a relay, the fastest team member goes last, with the second fastest giving the team a good start at the front. The other two run or swim in the middle section of the race. A smooth baton changeover is usually seen as essential to a good race – and is often where it is won or lost.

The path to gold: how better team building can put you in front

“Stand still and the rest of the world will walk past you,” said Marc Woods, speaking in February 2017. However, doing nothing would have been very easy for this particular speaker. When Marc was aged 17, he was diagnosed with bone cancer and subsequently had his left leg amputated below the knee.

Do you recruit for skills or character?

The payroll industry is fundamentally no different to any other in that success is typically delivered relevant to the quality of the individuals providing a service. As such, attracting and retaining the right people is critical. The job market has changed significantly over the last twenty years and the pace of change continues to be even faster. People displaying the right attitude and aptitude is appearing to be more important than those with just job skills and experience.

Smart working: a new way to work

There was once a level of anxiety surrounding smart working and its impending implementation in the workplace. Once thought of as merely a fruitless buzzword, smart working has caused a lot of confusion due to its previously indefinite or unclear meaning. Surely we should all be working smart? And how exactly can you define ‘smart’?

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Part-time working, full time commitment

There’s no real definition of part-time work in terms of hours. The definition just means fewer hours per week than a full-time job. But there’s still a stigma attached to part-time or flexible working. Flexible working is often associated with women returning to work after maternity leave or having to fit jobs around a school run or even working in low paid or low skilled professions. This view is a tad outdated to say the least.

How to make your one-to-ones more productive

Having a one-to-one with your team members is vital to ensuring they feel valued. They’ll have the chance to address their concerns to you and understand their place in the organisation a little more. Our Head of HR, Fiona McKee, shares top tips on how to coordinate a productive one-to-one meeting with your team members.

AI and Tech fears? HR to play a pivotal role

Nobody is safe, according to many scientists and technology gurus. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robots will soon to be able to do almost everything better than humans and will take over most jobs, including that of a doctor, lawyer and other professionals. Our Managing Director, Doug Sawers, shares his thoughts...

HR Tech World: Demos, discussions &… HARRI

HR Tech World Congress, the UK’s biggest annual HR technology show, took place at the ExCel in London last week with the theme of "The Future of Work". It was a fantastic two-day event attended by more than 3,500 exhibitors and delegates, with plenty of interesting speakers! Read our highlights from the event...

Brexit – what does it mean for Employment Law?

You will be aware that a great deal of our Employment Law is what we call “European law”. What will happen to those laws when we are no longer a member of the EU?

April 2017; where the work of preparation begins

2017 is going to be both interesting & challenging. With Brexit and changing government leadership much is to be done and quickly. Now is the time for the business to come together and plan for change...

Technology in the workplace; what happens when it’s the focus?

Technology in the workplace is not a new phenomenon but a continuous drive towards automation which has been taking place to varying degrees since the rise of Manchester Capitalism and the Industrial Revolution. As such, there is much we can learn from history regarding the nature of work...

Say goodbye to payroll pitfalls: Going global in 2017

As the business world becomes ever more disparate and global, it comes as no surprise that managing payroll across multiple markets is presenting more challenges than ever before. To delve into the issues at hand, our SD Worx Global solution and services team recently conducted pan-European research to gauge a better understanding of the key payroll challenges impacting modern multinationals, as well as the changes that industry professionals want to see in the New Year.

Don’t work harder, work smarter: Why 2017 will be the year of global payroll

2016 has been an eventful year, with lots of social and political change occurring around the world. Change, of course, can be a great thing – it can bring new perspective and a fresh outlook, something which also holds true in the context of business and HR. And with the New Year fast approaching, now is an opportune time to start planning.

Vlog - HR Tech World Paris 2016

We were delighted to exhibit at HR Tech World 2016 in Paris. Check out our short video here to get a flavour of this successful event.

Prepared & Proactive? HR & its Role in the Future of Work

Never before has it been more vital for businesses to optimise the ideas, strengths and skills of their entire workforce – and of others within their industry and beyond. Is it time for HR to become more proactive? Hear Doug's thoughts, MD of SD Wrox UK & Ireland, on HR and its role in the future of work.

Navigating the Brexit challenge; HR Strategies to Stay in Control

For the world of business and more specifically HR, the Brexit vote has brought on a time of uncertainty. The momentous decision taken by the public on June 23 has left employers across the UK having to wrestle with a vast range of workforce-related issues.

Apprenticeship Levy: Are You Preparing?

The way the government funds apprenticeships in England is changing. The 6th April 2017 sees the introduction of a new employment tax on United Kingdom employers. Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland, each having their share of the levy, will have to decide how apprenticeship spending will take place. In this blog I cover some key points that employers should be considering in order to prepare for the upcoming changes...

National Insurance, New Starters, & Irregular payment after leaving

As a union, the UK has voted to leave the European Union with some Scottish politicians hinting of a further independence referendum, and some in Northern Ireland wanting a joint Irish nation! At the same time, Job Centre Plus has run out of National Insurance numbers and in June 2016, decided in to start issuing NINOs with prefix ‘KC’ - but there is an issue with this...

Scotland vs. UK Payroll - Q&A with Simon Parsons

With the result of the UK referendum to leave the European Union and indication by Scotland's first minister to run a further Devolution referendum, Simon Parsons considers the potential implications for the next few years for Scotland and Payroll services...

Pet companionship & the workplace

In the UK alone, there are 11 million households with pets, equating to 57 million animals and a subsequent market where £4.6b is spent annually on pampering these additions to our family units. Despite this; pet owners do not feel confident to use their pet as the reason for a need to take unexpected absence when requesting time off or for needing flexible working. So is it not time for us to recognise the benefits that pet ownership has on both our employees and our businesses, and put stronger policies in place that continue to nurture and support our employees’ relationships with their pets?

Keep calm and carry on! Brexit's effect on the UK Workforce

So the nation has chosen to progress leaving the EU with a popular vote of 52%. So what's changed, apart from volatility in currency and stock markets? And what major action do we see impacting payroll?

Talent Management - Tell me I am wrong

I recently attended a seminar in London with over 100 Talent Managers from some of the biggest brands in the UK. During this excellent seminar we looked at Talent Management processes and explored whether we need to rethink our approach for the modern world. This session provoked me to reflect on all the performance and talent systems I have seen, designed and implemented over the years. After reflecting on this I think the answer is a resounding YES! We do need to change, but not in the way you might think. So please allow me a few minutes to explain...

The Impact of ‘Brexit’ – Is Your Business Prepared?

On 23rd June 2016, UK voters decided in favour of leaving the European Union (EU) in a landmark referendum. Since then it’s fair to say that UK politics has seen a fair amount of turmoil. One thing we can be sure of is that, whenever it does happen, the UK’s withdrawal from the EU will have implications for workers and employers. In this blog I want to focus on what this could mean...

Maternity and Pay Rises

The National Living Wage (NLW) became compulsory for employees aged 25 and above, at a new minimum rate... Have you considered the implications and reviewed your maternity leave payments and made top-ups of SMP?

The potential Brexit effect on UK workforce

With the upcoming referendum later this month, which will decide whether Britain should leave or remain in the European Union, UK businesses – employing EU workers – will need to contemplate how “Bexit” might potentially influence their future hiring, talent management and overall workforce management best practices. Currently, millions of highly skilled EU immigrants work in the UK. The following article examines a few possible scenarios and outcomes of Brexit and its potential impact to the UK – and increasingly global workforce. I will also review how human capital management technology can help businesses comply with the current and future new world of work.

Is your employee guilty of fraud?

April 2016 saw some of the most significant legal changes to impact payroll operations and software. I would venture that this year’s new changes have been some of the most impactful yet, more so than the introduction of Real Time Information (RTI). New requirements for Scotland including the Scottish Rate of Income Tax and changes to Earnings and Maintenance Arrestments. A revolution in national insurance with the removal of Contracting out and Under 25 Apprentice NICs being introduced. The list can go on.

True Love Lies in Payroll and HR

In today's world, "human capital management" seems to be the hot topic of choice. A complete HCM solution covers all the people related processes and data in an organisation, and by its very nature can get pretty full on and complicated to implement, with greater upheaval and cost involved. For that reason, it is not always appropriate for an organisation to consider changing all aspects of their HCM in one fell swoop.

5 key questions that can help improve employee-manager relationships

Do you believe that above all else, the most important factor behind an employee’s engagement and productivity is their relationship with the direct supervisor? If you do, you’re not alone. Many believe that if people get along with their managers well, they’re likely to work well – it’s often as simple as that!

4 tips for fostering a culture of innovation

It is up to management to create a culture that fuels innovation, and there are some steps leadership should take to achieve that sort of workplace. Innovation doesn’t just happen. It is the result of the sort of office culture that idolizes a forward-thinking approach. New strategies and products are hard to come across in a workplace that doesn’t actively seek them. That sort of pro-innovation attitude is a top-down value. It is up to management to decide whether the company should be one that promotes innovative work.

Maternity Rights and Childcare; as clear as mud!

Following the judgement of the Employment Appeal Tribunal (9th March 2016), the question of salary sacrifice and maternity rights has been thrown into question! Was HMRC errant in providing guidance? Are employers now off the hook with provision of non-cash benefits in kind during maternity?

How to get the most out of a WFM System: Be Prepared to Change & Prepare for the Change (part 4)

I’ve been working in a software implementation environment for nearly 20 years ,and in that time I’ve seen many successful projects. Sadly I’ve also seen a number of less successful projects and if I were to pick a main cause for each of them the two recurring themes would undoubtedly be...

Conference 2016 - Survey Results

600 people attended the Ceridian Conference 2016; find out their biggest challenges in new HR and Payroll legislation.

The Apprentice

In the 2015 Queens speech, the Government set out to create 3 million new apprenticeships by 2020. As part of the Enterprise Bill, apprenticeships would gain the same legal treatment of degrees. ‘The Richard Review’ brings new standards being developed by ‘trailblazers’ and new funding trialled giving employers greater control over spend on training delivery.

How to get the most out of a Workforce Management System: Empower Your Workforce (part 3)

In my last two blogs I described how important a transparent labour model and flexible workforce are to the successful implementation of a WFM system. Today I want to focus on how such a system can help re-engage your workforce, improving morale and colleague retention.

How to get the most out of a Workforce Management System: Get Flexible! (part 2)

In my last blog I described how keeping the labour model as simple and transparent as possible increases the chances of user buy-in whilst still generating an accurate labour forecast. Today I want to talk about how critical the flexibility of your workforce is to the successful implementation of a WFM system...

How to get the most out of a Workforce Management System: Keep it simple! (part 1)

Our WFM System experts, describe how keeping the labour model simple and transparent could increases chances of user buy-in, whilst still generating an accurate labour forecast.

6 Technology Predictions that will impact the world of HR & Payroll

Welcome to the future! I am back with a new blog, this time I look at 6 technology predictions over the next 5 years that will impact the world of HR & Payroll. Who knows where we’ll be in 2020? My predictions are based on detailed research, analysis of past and current technology trends, and consumer purchasing behaviour.

5 ways the resume is changing in modern recruitment

Before the advent of the internet, applying for jobs was a fairly straightforward process. Now, with an incredible amount of technology infused into the recruitment process, there’s an entirely new approach to talent acquisition. Here are 5 ways the resume is changing in modern recruitment...

Top tips for improving employees’ productivity

HR professionals deal with a lot of challenges on a daily basis, but at the root of it, the primary goal is to maintain a high level employee retention and productivity. Read our top tips for improving employees’ productivity in the new year.

5 tips for reducing office stress during the holiday season

There can be numerous challenges to staying productive throughout December. Employees may not be working as much as they’re frequently taking time off around the holidays. They’re traveling all over the place, shopping and making plans with family and friends. They may also become stressed! Here are our top tips for reducing office stress during the holiday season.

5 tips for finding your most productive work time

As an HR leader, your assignment from day to day and from month to month is to maximise employee engagement, while increasing employee retention and productivity. Your company is investing a great deal in talent – and you want to make the most of that talent. So what makes us productive, and what doesn’t?

Easing Stress in the Workplace

Many factors contribute to stress and overload in the workplace, including organisational change, demanding workloads, poor communication, and interpersonal conflicts among individuals or groups. Read our top tips on how to tackle these challenges...

Paying the living wage: Retail & Hospitality

Paying the living wage isn’t optional for survival, but neither should it be a problem. Lidl were the first supermarket to recognise the benefits of paying the living wage. Their stores may be no frills but their operation is efficient. Lidl’s customers, many deserting the likes of Waitrose and Sainsbury’s for all or some of their purchases, have clearly embraced the shopping experience...

5 ways to reduce stress around the office

Stress has an enormous effect on the workplace on a daily basis. If and when employees are feeling overworked, their negative attitude makes it very difficult for them to tackle everything on their plates. Check out our top tips on how to reduce stress in the office!

5 tips that will boost your productivity

National Work Life Week 2015: Fitting Work and Life Together

To celebrate National Work Life Week taking place this week, we share top tips on how to maintain a Work and Life balance. Read our NWLW15 blog and download infographic...

5 things to look for when recruiting via social media

The initial challenge of recruiting can be divided into two important parts - first is the step of sourcing, and second is evaluating whether they're a good fit. HR offices everywhere are looking for new, innovative strategies for improving in both of those areas. But is corporate recruiting via social media a worthwhile use of your time?

5 Strategies for Building an Exceptional Company Culture

At all places of business, large and small, there's a growing expectation that HR's role is to increase employee retention and productivity. A productive workforce is the lifeblood of a successful company. If your employees are willing to stay in their positions and work hard, your business is more likely to make money.

HR & Marketing: A perfect blend (Part 2/2)

Through HR and Marketing, you can promote internal success and employee achievement to greater extents. HR can pinpoint outstanding employee performance and Marketing can spread these positive actions through internal communication channels

HR & Marketing: A perfect blend (Part 1/2)

Like many, I believe that HR and Marketing are, and will, continue to move closer and closer. This belief has been further accelerated by increased and dominating use of both social media and mobile.

Favouritism in the workplace

We often hear about favouritism occurring in classrooms, amongst friends, or even families, but how about in the workplace?

5 ways to encourage collaboration between Generations X and Y

A great deal of the conversation in human capital management concerns the on-going movement of generations through the workforce. There are two undeniable trends happening in the present day - one, the baby boomer generation is gradually moving into retirement, and two, millennials are entering the office in full force.

Managing conflict in the workplace

Every organisation experiences conflict in one form or another, not only in the workplace but in our homes and our social life. Honestly, it's bound to happen with people working and being together with different personalities, values and culture but actually in some situations conflict can be the base for a healthy debate. However, it's not so much the conflict that causes problems and issues but how it is managed.

HR transformation and the importance of the little "i"

There is little doubt that HR transformation is big business with many of the leading advisory firms reporting strong demand and healthy pipelines of future work. However, while we support the importance for the HR function to evolve in ensuring it delivers optimum value to the business, we see scope for improvement in the execution of such programmes

3 tips for improving workforce productivity

The long-term goal in HR is always to drive employee retention and productivity upwards - you're given a staff with a certain number of employees on board, and your job is to maximise their output. You want every single worker under your roof to have the highest possible impact on the achievements of the company, so that in the long run, the business stays profitable and everyone's happy.

Is "trust" vital to win?

Andrew Strauss, the new director of cricket for the England & Wales Cricket Board this week announced that Kevin Pietersen would not be selected for England in the short-term due to "massive trust issues". This was after Pietersen scored a career best 355 not out for Surrey and a dismal run...

Mindfulness - What's it all about?

Everyone's talking about mindfulness right now, including the Mental Health Foundation as part of their Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 11th - 17th May, 2015. You may still be sceptical, but there's more and more evidence to support the art and practice of mindfulness, particularly in relation to mental health.