How is Workforce Compliance Automation Different From Payroll Systems?
There is no question, a payroll system is essential to the ongoing day-to-day operations of any business. Payroll systems lately have been expanding their capabilities to include what has been traditionally considered “Workforce Compliance” management. Some of these systems manage HR forms and host training content through a plugin. But blurring the line between payroll and other HR and workforce compliance capabilities creates confusion for dealerships. A dealer may ask “Should I invest in a single system and spend more for multiple systems?”
While payroll systems are essential, using them for processes for which they were not initial built is a risky proposition.
There are three questions to ask when considering using a payroll system for compliance:
- Does the payroll provider understand my business from a risk perspective?
- Will it protect all parts of my business across my risk profile?
- Is the system designed specifically to manage compliance?
Does the payroll provider understand my business from a risk perspective?
Innovative payroll systems may be capable of housing and distributing different types of content (forms, policies, maybe even some basic training content).
But where does that content come from? Is it developed by the payroll provider, who likely isn’t super familiar with the vehicle dealer industry? Or is it developed by experts who understand the industry, the common risks and the best ways to address them.
Do representatives from the payroll provider attend industry events, hold seminars, and do they maintain membership in industry associations? In other words, are the entrenched members of the industry and understand the challenges intrinsic to members of that community?
Will it protect all parts of my business across my risk profile?
A well-functioning workforce compliance automation platform provides broad coverage across all areas of the dealership.
Here’s is a cross-department risk profile of a typical dealership:
Human Resources
High Risk Areas:
– Harassment
– Discrimination
– Employment law violations
Sales Finance & Insurance (Sales F&I)
High Risk Areas:
– Deceptive marketing
– Customer privacy
– Cash handling
– Fair lending violations
Body Shop/Service Bays
High Risk Areas:
– EH&S Violations
– OSHA Violations
Administration, Sales & Finance
High Risk Areas:
– Data Privacy
Is the system designed specifically to manage compliance?
Payroll providers have some “me, too” features that sound on the surface to be equal.
Here are a few features to look for in a system designed specifically for compliance:
- Scheduling and assignment capabilities:
Get the right content to the right person at the right time. - Measurement and reporting
View compliance status and get audit-ready reports - Multiple content types
Manage policies, online training, forms, video, guidelines
We are the experts in the field of workforce compliance and offer a built-for-purpose solution specifically for dealers. Payroll providers are just that, general payroll experts who have recently added some general HR functionality.
