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Make Sure Your Global Payroll Vendor Can Answer These Questions From Your International Employees

When your global payroll vendor’s support team can handle common questions from your global contractors and FTEs, you can stay focused on your top HR and finance priorities.

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Plane Team

We all wish life was just a little bit simpler, and with the right vendor, it can be. For HR leaders, a global payroll vendor could be the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed. With so much on your plate, you don’t always have time (or the local knowledge) to answer the day-to-day questions your international employees may have. But the right vendor can do way more than just crunch numbers. Their support team can actually make your life a whole lot simpler.Global payroll vendors worth their salt act as an extension of your HR team. Instead of your inbox piling up with questions from international employees like, “How can I update my direct deposit?” or, “Why is my paycheck different this month?”, your vendor’s success team should be able to step in and answer basic questions quickly. If they aren’t, it might be time to start looking for a new HR and payroll partner!If you’re not currently using a payroll vendor, you’re likely spending a lot of time fielding questions like the ones below. Or, maybe you haven’t yet begun hiring remotely for fear of the administrative burden. Either way, consider how much simpler life can be when all of the below questions are handled for you. The valuable work you do as an HR leader can be a whole lot more impactful when you have a helpful HR and payroll partner by your side. So, use this article as a resource when assessing your current or prospective vendors. If the vendor doesn’t or can’t answer these questions on your behalf, you’d be better off looking for a new solution.

Pay details

Nobody wants to deal with payday drama. Employees expect their checks on-time and error-free, but nonstop Q&A can be a time-suck HR teams don’t need. A solid global payroll vendor is able to handle the paycheck basics while you run the show.Your vendor should be able to answer pay-related questions like:
  • When will I receive my paycheck?
  • How are exchange rates determined for my payment in local currency?
  • Why does my paystub show deductions or adjustments?
  • Can I update my bank account for direct deposit?
  • What happens if there’s a delay in my payment?
  • Why does my pay land on different dates each month?
  • When will my payslip/paystub be available?
  • Where can I find my payslip/paystub?
  • When will I get paid for my expense reimbursement request?

Taxes

Between local tax laws, currency conversions, regionally varying withholding rates, and more, international payroll can feel like a maze, even for tax pros. When international employees start asking questions, your global payroll vendor should be able to step up. While they can’t play tax advisor, a good payroll partner can become the go-to for plenty of other tax-related FAQs.Your vendor should be able to answer tax-related questions like:
  • Why are taxes being withheld from my paycheck?
  • Which taxes or social contributions am I responsible for in my country?
  • Can you provide me with a breakdown of my tax deductions?
  • How do I access my tax documents (e.g., W-2, 1099, or equivalents)?
  • What should I do if I think there’s an error in my tax deductions?
  • How can I update my tax withholdings?

Payment issues

Payment issues are like weeds in a garden — annoying, inevitable, and likely to ruin your day. The good news? Your global payroll vendor can act as your gardener, helping employees resolve (or at least make sense of) these pesky problems.Your vendor should be able to help with payment issues like:
  • My payment amount seems incorrect. How can I get this resolved?
  • I didn’t receive my payment on time. Who should I contact?
  • I was overpaid/underpaid. How will this be rectified?

Payment methods and currencies

When you’re managing international payroll, there’s a whirlwind of currencies, payment methods, and other confusions. A great payroll vendor keeps it simple, giving employees abroad the scoop on how they’re getting paid and what their options are, with no guesswork required. Your vendor should be able to answer questions like:
  • Can I choose a different currency for my payments?
  • How are currency conversion fees handled?
  • Can I get paid through a method other than direct deposit, like PayPal or Wise?
  • Can I split my pay check into two different bank accounts?

Benefits

It’s a global truth that employees want the specs on their benefits like healthcare, PTO, and other perks. Luckily, the ideal global payroll vendor will have their coverage details covered. And if they need to loop in a benefits provider, they can do that without ever needing to reach out to you. Your vendor should be able to answer benefits-related questions like:
  • Am I eligible for health insurance, retirement contributions, or other benefits?
  • How do I enroll in benefits offered by the employer of record?
  • Are my benefits aligned with local labor laws?
  • Can I pay for benefits via payroll myself if my employer doesn’t offer them?
  • Can I opt out of supplementary benefits?
  • How can I add dependents to my health insurance?

Paid & unpaid leave and holidays

Time off can get tricky with an international team. Is it paid or unpaid? Which holidays are days off? It can often come down to location and company policy. When your global payroll vendor takes the time to clarify time off, employees get straight answers and your team has one less item on their to-do list.Your vendor should be able to answer time-off questions like:
  • How do I apply for paid leave or vacation days?
  • What are the official public holidays recognized in my contract?
  • If I take unpaid leave, how will this affect my paycheck?
  • I have an unlimited PTO policy. Am I still entitled to receive unused vacation pay at the end of my employment?

Work contracts and terms

Global payroll is so much more than cutting checks for your crew working abroad. It’s about getting employee classification right, withholdings sorted, and benefits squared away. Working with the right global payroll vendor means your employees are clear on contracts, pay details, and benefits they can claim.Your vendor should be able to answer questions like:
  • Can you explain the terms of my employment contract, especially regarding compensation and benefits?
  • Am I considered an employee or a contractor?
  • How do changes to my contract (e.g., hours, role) affect my payroll?

Accessing records

When tax season hits, employees need their payroll records fast. But even if your HR platform is largely self-service, you could still use a safety net. A smart global payroll vendor will point international employees in the right direction to ensure they can grab their records any time without a hassle.Your vendor should be able to answer questions like:
  • How can I access past paystubs or earnings reports?
  • Will you provide me with an annual earnings summary or tax form?
  • How do I request a verification of employment or a job letter?
  • Where can I find my employer’s address and phone number?

Personal information

Employees’ lives don’t stay static, and neither does their personal information. International team members juggling cross-border moves and other major updates like “I dos” need their details updated in your human resources information system (HRIS). Your global payroll vendor should be able to help employees make updates simple and secure, ensuring accurate paychecks and benefits every payday.Your vendor should be able to answer questions like:
  • How can I update my personal details, like my address or tax information?
  • Do I need to notify you if I change my country of residence?

Onboarding and training

You want to set your employees up for success from day one, but it can be challenging. When they need a hand getting settled, a trusted global payroll vendor can fill in the gaps and streamline their experience — with no added stress for you and your team. Your vendor should be able to answer onboarding questions like:
  • How do I use your payroll system to view my payments?
  • Can you help me understand my first paycheck and deductions?

End of employment

Offboarding is never easy. It can be a sensitive time for employees and a complex process for your team. The right global payroll vendor should be able to handle questions around the end of employment with care, offering employees clarity and support while making sure your company stays on the right side of compliance. Your vendor should be able to answer end-of-employment questions like:
  • How will my final paycheck be calculated?
  • What documents will I receive when my contract ends?
  • How do I access severance or unused vacation payouts?

Find a global payroll partner that will help you stay focused on your top priorities

A trusted global payroll vendor is more than just a tech provider. Its support team is working on the frontlines of your HR ops, stepping in to handle international employees’ questions before they turn into time-consuming problems for you. From sorting out paychecks, to explaining benefits, the right vendor keeps your team’s operations running smoothly so you don’t have to sweat the small stuff. With the support of a global payroll vendor, you can focus on driving strategy and landing those big-picture wins.

Ready to find the right payroll partner for your business?

Having all the right answers is only one small part of the support a global payroll vendor can provide your business. Before you put the critical task of payroll in their hands, you need to dive into the details of their capabilities, compliance expertise, and more. That’s why we put together this easy to follow checklist of essential questions to ask when evaluating a potential payroll provider.

How to Evaluate a Potential Payroll Provider

Download checklist

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