From devastating lows like the earthquakes to magnificent highs like the Rugby World Cup win, it’s fair to say 2011 was definitely a year to be remembered.

We’re thinking 2012 will shape up to be one of the best yet, especially for us at SmartPayroll.  Just to start with, we’re looking to exceed last years whopping figure of nearly 2000 new companies that joined us in the cloud.

So in saying that, Happy New Year, we look forward to working with you.

Whether it’s a gleaming turkey or some nicely barbecued prawns that let you know the holidays have arrived, the team at SmartPayroll wish you and your colleagues a Merry Christmas whatever you may be doing.

Enjoy the sunshine (we hope), have fun with the kids playing backyard cricket and sit back, relax with a few beers knowing your payroll is all sorted.

See you all in the New Year.

Not so long ago, our blog, Christmas Countdown, mentioned that closer to the big day we would give you some more information to make your holiday payroll easier.  Because everyone’s got enough to stress about at this time of year, payroll should be the last thing on your mind.

So, click this link to view all the information you could need about entering holiday leave days and statutory holidays on our website. 

But we haven’t gone all impersonal.  There is still someone at the helpdesk waiting for your call.  Just give us a ring on 0800 10 10 38.  We may be a little bit busier so please be patient if you have a short wait.

HOW TO ENTER ANNUAL LEAVE DETAILS – CHRISTMAS 2011

The three most common scenarios for paying staff over the holiday period are:

(1)        the payroll is processed on the normal paydays over the holiday period and staff work the days in between Christmas and New Year.

(2)        the staff are paid out for all their annual leave in full before they go on holiday.

(3)        The staff are on holiday until the 9^th January (or longer) but are paid each week on the normal pay days.

Choose the scenario that fits your company.

1.         THE PAYROLL IS PROCESSED ON THE NORMAL PAYDAYS OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD and STAFF WORK THE DAYS IN BETWEEN

This company has a Monday-Sunday payroll.  The employee works up until Friday 23^rd December and is paid normally for that week.

The following week the employee works the days in between Christmas and New Year and because Monday and Tuesday are statutory holidays, the pay details may look like this:

In the above example the employee is paid for 2 statutory holidays, 26^th and 27^th December and works for 3 days up until New Year’s Eve.
 

The following week the employee is paid for 2 statutory holidays on 3^rd and 4^th January, and works the next three days.  (See example above).

 2.         COMPANY CLOSES DOWN FOR HOLIDAY PERIOD, STAFF PAID FOR 3  WEEKS

This company closes down for the holidays and staff are paid out their holiday pay beforehand.  This company closes down on Friday the 23^rd  December and reopens on Monday 9^th January 2012.

The staff are given all their pay for the 3 weeks together.

Note: The taxable periods have changed to 3 as this employee is being paid for 3 pays.  This means that the tax for the 3 pays will be spread correctly over 3 taxable periods.

3.         THE STAFF ARE ON HOLIDAY UNTIL THE 10^TH JANUARY BUT ARE PAID EACH WEEK ON THE NORMAL PAYDAYS 

The staff are paid as normal on the week leading up to Christmas.

The following week the staff receive a statutory holiday for the 26^th and 27^th December, and then 3 annual leave days for the 29^th, 30^th and 31^st December.

The following week Monday and Tuesday are again paid as statutory holidays (2^nd  and 3^rd January).  The following three days are paid as annual leave days.

Note:  The taxable periods have changed to 3 as this employee is being paid for 3 pays.  This means that the tax for the 3 pays will be spread correctly over 3 taxable periods.  The number of days paid are 15 in this case.

3.         THE STAFF ARE ON HOLIDAY UNTIL THE 9^TH JANUARY BUT ARE PAID EACH WEEK ON THE NORMAL PAYDAYS (instead of receiving all their pay for 3 weeks at once)

The staff are paid as normal on the week leading up to Christmas.
The following week the staff receive a statutory holiday for the 26^th and 27^th December, and then 3 annual leave days for the 28^th, 29^th and 30^th December.

The following week Monday and Tuesday are again paid as statutory holidays (2^nd  and 3^rd January).  The next three days are paid as annual leave days.

What happens when staff normally work on Sundays?

This year Christmas Day and New Year’s Day fall on a Sunday and Boxing Day and the 2nd of January fall on a Monday.

There are no special rules for Boxing Day or the 2nd of January; these public holidays are observed on the days they fall.  Special rules will apply to Christmas Day and New Year’s Day because they fall on a Sunday.

For employees who normally work on a Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are observed on that day. 

For employees who normally do not work on Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are transferred to the following Tuesday (27 December 2011 and 3 January 2012).

Please contact the SmartPayroll Helpdesk on 0800 10 10 38 if you need help entering the pays over the Christmas holiday period.

Quite simply, we can state we have had our biggest year of growth, ever.

Since humble beginnings back in 2003, SmartPayroll has had the foot firmly on the pedal.  And as 2011 nears an end, there has certainly not been any letting off the gas.

Yes, we can pat ourselves on the back, and congratulate all our staff on a year well done, but more importantly it’s all been as a result of you.  So, thank you.  You use our payroll, you read our blog, and you know that we only ever work tirelessly to make sure your business payroll runs as smoothly as possible. 

Next year, we not only want to continue this leading pace but race forward even further.  We hope you’ll continue to stay along for the ride.

With the sun starting to shine, the BBQ’s getting a dust off and everyone’s pasty legs starting to see the light of day, it can mean only one thing.  Summer. 

With holidays well on their way and Christmas sneaking up on everyone, the team at SmartPayroll are frantically busy.  With last minute mad rushes to transfer your business payroll to our online system, we doing our best to make it all happen on time. So, be sure to get in touch with us sooner rather than later.

But you don’t need to worry if you need help over the holiday period – we’ll be here every day except the stat days waiting for your call.