As the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the continent’s top three alongside Nigeria and Egypt, South Africa stands as a vital hub of economic, cultural, and political activity across the region and the continent. South Africa’s payroll and HR landscape is shaped by its complex history and strong worker protection laws. Landmark policies such as the Employment Equity Act and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act were introduced to promote fair representation and correct past inequalities in the workplace. The country’s labor landscape is also defined by a strong union presence.

Payroll professionals also need to navigate several statutory contributions, including the Skills Development Levy (SDL), a 1% employer-paid tax designed to fund national training and development initiatives. In this episode of Payroll Around the World, we’re joined by ADP experts Tracey Wiehman, Head of Services, and Oswald Bailey, Business Compliance Manager, as they share insights on navigating South Africa’s evolving payroll landscape. We also speak to Naomi, a manager at a financial institution in Johannesburg, to tell us more about her experiences with training opportunities funded by the SDL.

Timestamps

• Intro [00:07]
• South Africa’s economy [04:30]
• The unemployment rate [06:55]
• South Africa’s unions [08:04]
• 12 official languages [11:26]
• Payroll calculations [13:26]
• The Basic Conditions of Employment Act [16:33]
• The Employment Equity Act [17:08]
• The Triple B Double E Act [18:45]
• The Skills Development Levy [22:58]
• Naomi’s story [25:35]
• Payroll cycles and mandatory contributions [32:34]
• How ADP helps clients in South Africa [36:32]

Credits

• Executive Producers for ADP: Nicola Smith and Kate Allen
• Executive Producer for Storythings: Matt Locke
• Lead Producer for Storythings: Chris Mitchell
• Scripted and hosted by: Luisa Rollenhagen
• Guest interview recorded by: Khanya Mtshali
• Project Manager: Aimee Perrinjaquet

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Poland is one of Europe’s fastest-growing economies and a regional powerhouse in sectors like manufacturing and shared services. The country has made a name for itself on the global market thanks to a highly educated workforce and high foreign direct investment. After joining the European Union in 2004, Poland embarked on a new era of expansion, with access to EU funds supporting its growth and development. But for companies expanding into Poland, payroll is anything but straightforward. Any administrative processes in Poland—including payroll—are in a constant tug-of-war between modern, digital-forward methods and traditional bureaucracy. Poland’s labor code, a tapestry of communist-era laws reshaped by current EU legislation, can often be difficult to decipher for multinationals coming from abroad.

In this episode of Payroll Around the World, we’re joined by ADP experts Josef Kozler, Senior Operations Director at ADP Poland, and Tomasz Czerkies, Compliance Manager, as we explore Poland’s payroll complexities. From the strict requirements for storing and indexing personnel files to the country’s overarching Polish-language mandates, they explain what global payroll professionals need to know to stay compliant and competitive in one of Europe’s most promising yet demanding markets. We’re also joined by Jarek, an office manager at a law firm in Warsaw, who’s leading the firm’s transition away from paper files to a more digital system.

Timestamps

• Intro [00:07]
• Poland’s labor landscape [04:54]
• Payroll complexity, including retrocalculations [06:27]
• Interpreting Poland’s labor laws [12:38]
• Tax and social security obligations [17:13]
• Digitizing personnel files [20:27]
• Jarek’s story [24:36]
• How to help companies digitize their files [29:58]
• Language barriers [31:38]
• Keeping up with regulatory changes [33:08]
• The best part about Polish payroll [34:45]

Credits

• Executive Producers for ADP: Nicola Smith and Kate Allen
• Executive Producer for Storythings: Matt Locke
• Lead Producer for Storythings: Chris Mitchell
• Scripted and hosted by: Luisa Rollenhagen
• Guest interview recorded by: Tadeusz Michrowski
• Project Manager: Aimee Perrinjaquet

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canada is considered a stable, business-friendly, and economically advanced country, and it’s no surprise that many global organizations look north when expanding their operations. With 10 provinces and 3 territories, it’s also a country where payroll isn’t just federal; it’s highly regional. Employers must account for both federal programs—like the Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance—and provincial employment standards, which vary widely in areas like minimum wage, overtime, vacation pay, and benefits. Quebec, in particular, has its own pension plan, privacy laws, and even language legislation requiring that key employment materials be delivered in French.

In this episode of Payroll Around the World, we’re joined by ADP experts Jim Lord, President of ADP Canada, and Elvira Ciambella, Vice President of Business Innovation Transformation and Shared Services at ADP. Together, they unpack Canada’s regulatory web, complex collective bargaining agreements, and the potential of the country’s diverse workforce. We also speak to Keven, a computer science consultant for a software developer who recently moved to Montréal from Mississauga, Ontario. He describes the challenges of adapting to Quebec’s unique tax and social security system, as well as the cultural aspects of Canada’s second-most populous province.

Timestamps

• Intro [00:07]
• Canada’s labor market and economy [03:41]
• Unions in Canada [05:58]
• The potential of the talent pool [08:37]
• Quebec and dual language requirements [10:53]
• Further complexities in Quebec [12:57]
• Keven’s story [18:47]
• How Canada’s provinces create complexity [28:42]
• Pay transparency reporting requirements in British Columbia [31:11]
• The importance of financial wellness [33:42]
• Compliance regulations for ADP in Canada [36:15]

Credits

• Executive Producers for ADP: Nicola Smith and Kate Allen
• Executive Producer for Storythings: Matt Locke
• Lead Producer for Storythings: Chris Mitchell
• Scripted and Luisa Rollenhagened by: Luisa Rollenhagen
• Guest interview recorded by: Adrian Ma
• Project Manager: Aimee Perrinjaquet

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.