Conclusion
Recommendations
Payroll and HR professionals need up-to-date systems that are fit for purpose, with better technology topping the list of solutions our respondents suggested for improving their operations.At the same time, equipping people with the necessary skills to do a great job is vital. This will become ever more crucial if public sector organisations are to thrive in a fast-moving world, where new technologies such as AI offer opportunities to those who can embrace and exploit them. For many respondents, their current payroll and HR system is a drag on efficiency and productivity. Teams are frequently piecing together makeshift workarounds to compensate for technical shortcomings, which costs them in both time and resources.
There’s a clear need for public sector organisations to critically evaluate legacy payroll and HR systems.
The costs of keeping these going may be far outweighed by the efficiency gains that up-to-date systems can offer.
Examine your existing payroll and HR systems to see where problems are arising. If there are frequent bottlenecks at a specific point in the process, or an error that comes up repeatedly, that’s a clear signal that it’s time to troubleshoot. Look at whether the problem lies with the system itself, or the way employees use it.
Ask people who use the system regularly how well it works for them. The people on the ground have insights into daily problems and frustrations. Ask specifically about workarounds, which are a potential breeding ground for errors and inefficiencies.
Prioritise issues to be worked on. Which payroll or HR system problems are causing the biggest problems in terms of efficiency? Which ones are costing staff the most time or causing the greatest number of errors.
Pay close attention to employee skills development. Are there skill shortages in specific areas? What are teams finding especially frustrating or stressful? Ask what people need to do their jobs well and build in training and support that equips them with those skills.
When adopting better and more up-to-date payroll and HR technology, be clear about the outcomes and benefits you hope to see. Set measurable goals and outcomes to help track efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
