The Payroll function may not always be the ‘flashiest’ part of a business, but it’s one of the most vital and one that’s undergoing a remarkable transformation. In this episode of the HR on the Offensive podcast, host Chris Howard and LACE payroll expert Tricia Conway are joined by guest Ian Giles Global Payroll Sales Director at Dayforce, discussing Payroll’s role, challenges, and future in the modern workplace.
How can payroll adapt to the rise of the multigenerational workforce?
The Payroll function is one of the few functions that truly connects with every employee, every single pay cycle. It’s far more than just an operational task; it’s a cornerstone of both employee experience and business stability. And as today’s workforce spans up to six different generations, expectations are anything but uniform. Some people value security and reliability, while others prioritise flexibility, convenience, or instant access. To keep up, payroll teams need to be more agile, delivering services that meet employees where they are and align with what they value most.
How can payroll mitigate the looming talent and knowledge gap?
As seasoned payroll professionals with decades of expertise retire, businesses face the risk of losing critical insights. Technology, especially AI and automation, is certainly changing the landscape, but it cannot replace human expertise. Instead, these tools are reshaping payroll roles, moving the focus away from manual data entry and toward governance, compliance, and strategic decision-making. Looking ahead, we’re likely to see job titles evolve too, with “administrators” giving way to roles like payroll intelligence officers, vendor strategists, and compliance leads.
For individuals considering a career in payroll, while qualifications and technical knowledge matter, success now relies just as much on being able to share insights clearly, shape strategy, and stay adaptable in a fast-paced, global workplace. Training and development programmes are already shifting to match this, putting greater focus on strategic thinking and working across functions.
This podcast aims to reframe payroll from an unseen process to a critical enabler of business success, one that’s evolving fast, and one that demands leaders, not just administrators, to take it forward.
