Real-Life Communication
You work for an outsourcing payroll administration company. This
means that you look after the payroll for a number of different businesses.
A medium-sized business has just hired you to look after the payroll.
When
you get to their office, you find that one of the partners is unhappy that
the payroll will be outsourced. "Why on earth do we need someone outside the
company to do payroll?" Nora demands. "All we have to do is write a check.
How hard can that be?"
The other partner sighs. "Do you think you could
explain what you will do for our company?" he asks.
"You have to have
excellent communication skills," says Sharon Conboy, a payroll officer. "You
need to be able to explain finances to people, and you need to be able to
communicate clearly with all the employees."
This is what you tell
the partners:
Outsourcing the payroll is a smart idea for a small company
because there are actually many things that need to be done to look after
the employee finances. The first thing we will be able to provide is direct
depositing, which means less hassle for employees, and fewer check-writing
costs for the company.
Taxes can be a big headache. Payment deadlines
must be met in order to avoid paying penalties and interest charges. We are
set up to deposit payroll taxes directly with the federal tax payment system.
We
provide your company with tax forms and give all your employees the correct
tax forms they will need to file their personal income taxes.
We also
keep an up-to-date tax tips report, so that your company can keep abreast
with changes. We also provide information to your employees regarding their
paychecks. If they have a question, they can call us free of charge.
It's
important that employees are paid on time and are paid the correct amount.
If there are troubles in the payroll department, you can bet that employees
will become dissatisfied with the company very quickly.
Nora nods her
head, and then asks a few questions:
- What are two benefits of direct deposit?
- What can happen when tax deadlines are missed?
- Will it cost our employees to call and ask you questions?
How do you answer her questions?