National Payroll Week

Written by N'kia NLN and Xavier Mazza

National Payroll Week is celebrated every year during the week of Labor Day. This special week serves to recognize payroll professionals across the nation and is an opportunity to educate employers and employees alike about payroll-related laws and policies.

It is crucial for payroll professionals to stay abreast of payroll-related laws in order to apply them and educate others on them. Here are four key legal areas to keep in mind, all of which apply to the private sector and federal, state, and local governments:

• Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”): The FLSA is a federal law that regulates minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, worker classification, and employment of minors. Most states have wage and hour laws that might apply instead of or in addition to the federal act.

• Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”): The FMLA provides employees with unpaid, protected leave for certain family and medical reasons, by ensuring the continuation of certain health benefits and work conditions. Many states also have laws that expand or supplement federally-protected leave.

• Equal Pay Act (“EPA”): The EPA is a federal law that requires equal pay for equal work in the same workplace, without regard to gender or sex. Numerous states have similar laws, as well as other laws intended to reduce pay disparity, such as pay transparency laws.

• Tax Codes and Regulations: Various tax codes and regulations govern matters like withholdings, tax responsibilities, and reporting requirements, as well as worker classification. Federal, state, and local tax laws may apply to a single employer at once.

Payroll professionals are the unsung heroes who ensure that employers comply with the law and that employees are compensated accurately and on time. Understanding and adhering to payroll-related laws helps payroll professions protect employees’ rights and maintain employers’ integrity.

Let’s all recognize the diligence and proficiency of payroll professionals in helping businesses

run smoothly and compliantly. Happy National Payroll Week!