Handling Policies, Procedures & Problems

Today’s modern payroll systems are far more sophisticated than ever before but one
thing they cannot do is deal with employee’s queries or explain to an employee:

• Why their tax is more or less than previous paydays – particularly following
3 tax changes during 2008/09
• Why are they suddenly paying far more National Insurance this year?
• That they have been over or underpaid and what the payroll department’s next
course of action is?
• What is the true value of a benefits package and how it will affect the amount
of tax they pay?
• Why has their tax deductions varied month by month on the same pay?

If you ask most payroll departments do you have a Payroll Policy and Procedures
Manual most will either say “it is something we haven’t got around to yet” or “we are in
the processing of writing one”. Those that do have a proper Policy and Procedures
manual usually admit that either they never look at it or the manual is out of date.
This course will help you to review your existing manual if you have one and help you
write a useful manual if you haven’t.

As we move more and more into online processes we need to ensure that our
policies and procedures are fully documented and up to date.

Students studying Payroll Alliance Distance Learning Diplomas may find this
course beneficial although attendance is not compulsory. However, there is a
special price for active students if they wish to attend this course

This course deals with the practical aspects of dealing with the above to ensure
that you can effectively explain this clearly to an employee either verbally or
in writing.

Course Programme
• Dealing with the practical aspects of employees’ problems and queries as
   illustrated in the above scenarios
• Useful tips on how to convey this effectively in writing
• Monitoring queries within the payroll department and their impact on KPI’s
• Why do you need a policy and procedure manual?
• What should it contain?
• What is the difference between a policy, a procedure and a checklist?
• Using Appendices – what to include in the body and what to use as a reference
• Writing to your audience, not to your boss or yourself
• Simple techniques to make it interesting and useful
• Mapping the process – make sure you are including everything
• Logical sequencing
• Contents and Index – can your audience find what they need?
• How many copies should you have of the manual and where should it be kept?
• Paper or electronic copies?
• Practical exercises to ensure you can put into practice what you have learnt
• Keeping it up to date
• Ensuring staff use it and follow the procedures

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