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Determining how and when employees will be paid is absolutely necessary. The good days after holidays are paydays; believe it or not, your employees do wait for the payday. No matter how goal-oriented and dedicated they are about their work, the reality is they expect a reward for the hard work they put into the company. And there is nothing wrong with expecting compensation for hard work; as such, setting up a payroll system at an early age is vital for employees and businesses.
Before choosing which pay cycle is best for you, let us understand what pay cycle is
What is a pay cycle
A pay cycle is a term used to describe the frequency with that an employee is paid for their work. It is also known as the pay schedule; the pay cycle considers the period of time an employee worked, and the payday is the day when employees will be issued the payment. The pay cycle helps employees generate stubs using a check stub maker and ensures that they are paid for their work in a predictable manner.
Employers can consider different types of pay cycles and set the cycle on their own if not directed by law.
Daily
One of the least common pay cycles is daily, which is issued at the end of each workday. A daily pay cycle might be beneficial to an employee who is less financially established and may have to cover the expenses. However, the daily pay cycle might not be beneficial to many businesses.
Weekly
As the name suggests, the weekly pay cycle is paying employees at the close of every week. This cycle is less frequent compared to the daily cycle. This cycle may benefit hourly employees or employees with irregular schedules, or even freelancers.
Bi-weekly
A bi-weekly pay cycle means that employees will be paid every two weeks. Paychecks will be issued on a predetermined day of the week. And as there are 52 weeks per year, and not every month will have four weeks, two months will include a bonus pay period. This may be beneficial to employees but can be difficult for businesses as they have to deal with irregular bonuses, accounting, and reporting.
Semi-monthly
Although it sounds like a bi-weekly cycle, there is a difference between both types. In semi-monthly, instead of issuing paychecks every second week, employers issue paychecks twice every month, no matter how many full weeks there are in a month. The pay date may be the 1st of the month and the 15th or 15th, and the end of the month. This cycle is beneficial for salaried employees.
Monthly
Employees are paid at the end of every month in the monthly pay cycle. Most businesses or employers find this cycle cost-effective and energy-saving with only 12 pay periods to be taken care of per year.
Choosing the right pay cycle
Pay cycles have a big impact on your business, significantly affecting employee satisfaction rates, recruitment, and retention. It also affects ongoing business expenses and overall net income. Here are some considerations you must take before choosing any cycle for the organization.
Payday laws
Most pay periods are determined by the area in which you do business. While some states have no specified pay period rules, others adhere to laws that dictate when an employee should be paid, what kind of employees have regulated paydays, and if there are any exemptions.
Employee type
As said previously, salaried employees benefit semi-monthly while hourly employees prefer more regular paychecks. Before deciding the pay cycle for the organization, review the types of employees you have in your organization.
Costs
The various tasks and management roles associated with payroll have their own costs. If the payment is frequent, the cost may add up. When deciding the pay cycle, make sure you check your budget as it may hurt your business really hard.
Cashflow
Another important reason to consider while deciding the pay cycle is cash flow. With a weekly pay cycle or daily cycle, you must have to fill accounts as you do not want to empty your account in this case. You can select a payment schedule when you are sure that you have enough in your account and regular pay days will not affect the business.
Overtime
According to the federal rule, overrated must be calculated on a weekly basis, even if you are following a monthly, weekly, or bi-weekly cycle. Businesses that need to account for large overtime may be better suited with a weekly pay cycle. You can always choose
free pay stub template to generate accurate stubs, including overtime pay.
The right pay cycle for you and your employees
In a nutshell, choose the cycle that best suits your business. Consider all the factors and then decide on the cycle. Also, make sure your employees are equally happy with the pay cycle as the cycle will motivate them and help them generate stubs easily using a free pay stub generator.
Related Article: Top Ways to Save Money in Small Business
FAQ's
What is a pay cycle?
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A pay cycle is when an employer issues employee paychecks, such as weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. The pay cycle may vary depending on the employer's policies and the type of employee.
How do I know when I'll be paid during a pay cycle?
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Your employer should provide information on the pay cycle, including the pay period start and end dates and the pay date. This information may be included on your employment agreement or pay stub or communicated directly to you by your employer.
Can I change the pay cycle for my employees?
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Yes, employers can choose the best pay cycle for their business needs and employees. However, any changes to the pay cycle should be communicated clearly to employees in advance to avoid confusion or misunderstandings. It's also important to ensure that the new pay cycle complies with applicable labour laws and regulations.
