Forgetting to process payroll can be stressful, but there are steps you can take to ensure your employees are paid as soon as possible. Your options will depend on how quickly you act and whether payroll has been finalized for the pay period.
Option 1: Next-Day Payroll
Fingercheck offers a "Next-Pay Payroll" feature, which allows you to process the missed payroll in the next cycle while ensuring tax and deduction compliance. This service is included in the 360 Plus plan.
Option 2: Process a Special Payroll
If you missed your regular payroll deadline, you can process an off-cycle payroll, or special payroll, to pay employees outside of your normal schedule. This option ensures that employees receive their wages without waiting for the next payroll run.
Option 3: Include Missed Payments in the Next Payroll
If employees can wait until the next scheduled payroll, you can add their missed wages to that run. Be sure to communicate with affected employees to manage expectations.
Option 4: Issue Manual Payments
For urgent cases, you can issue manual payments via direct deposit (if supported by your provider) or physical checks. Keep in mind that tax calculations may need to be adjusted manually.
How to Avoid It Next Time
To prevent missing payroll deadlines in the future, consider the following best practices:
Set Scheduled Tasks: Create scheduled tasks to automatically run payroll regularly and for time cards.
Enable Auto-Run Payroll: Utilize the auto-run feature; enabling it can ensure payroll is processed on time.
Assign a Backup Admin: Assign a secondary payroll admin who can step in if you’re unavailable. You can assign certain role rights to each user to allow them specific capabilities within the system.
Regularly Review Payroll Schedules: Ensure that payroll dates align with company holidays and bank closures to avoid processing delays.
By following these steps, you can minimize the risk of missing payroll and keep your employees paid on time.