November 2024
New Features
Screen conversion – Grades
The newly converted Grades screen has been released.
NextGen Screen
In addition to the screen conversion, we’re also adding API for the Grades screen which will be available in the API documentation.
The Additional Value descriptions have been moved to a separate tab that is displayed at the top of the screen with the ability to reorder descriptions using drag and drop motion.
Bulk Actions – Grades
As an extension of the Grades screen conversion, we’ve also created a Grades bulk upload. You will now have the ability to maintain multiple company grade details with a single upload.
The Grades bulk upload is accessible under the company “Organization Structure” section.
The template includes the following Grade screen fields, along with additional value description fields configured per company:
Leave Calendar enhancement – Display custom Public Holidays
An enhancement was made to the employee Leave Calendar screen. Now, when you create a custom public holiday whether national or provincial on company level, it will automatically display on the calendar for the relevant date alongside the existing public holidays for each country.
This will ensure that employees are aware of company-specific public holidays, facilitating better planning and management of their leave requests
Employee number added to Security screens
Companies often use employee numbers as unique identifiers when queries are sent relating to requests that require updates to employee information. This necessitates having the ability to use employee numbers to search across various system screens.
We’ve added an Employee Number column to the User Profile and Activate User screens allowing you to easily locate employee profiles using their employee number.
User Profile screen:
Activate Users screen:
Leave Balances – Leave cycle start date
We’ve introduced the addition of a new column on the employee leave balance screen that displays the start date of each employee’s leave cycle, based on settings defined in the leave scheme parameters screen.
Other Dropdowns – Bank Names
You now have control to manage Bank Names. A new section is available on the Dropdown Management > Other Dropdown menu that will empower users with the ability to add and maintain bank information shown on the Bank Name dropdown list on the employee’s Banking Details screen.
The same standard list previously available on the Banking Details screen has been incorporated into the Other Dropdown menu, allowing users the flexibility to maintain the bank names details as needed.
The Bank Names section will include two fields:
Bank name: For entering the name of the bank.
Default branch code: For specifying the default branch code associated with the bank.
Custom Fields – Tooltips functionality
The Custom Fields tooltip functionality is now available. You can enter tooltip text on custom fields providing users with contextual information and instructions on how they can effectively populate each custom field.
Custom field tooltip configuration:
Tooltip shown on Custom field:
• A ‘?’ icon will appear next to the custom field label if tooltip text has been added.
• When users hover over the field with a ‘?’ icon, the tooltip text will be displayed, offering them additional context and guidance.
Compliance Updates
Legislation updates for November 2024
Gabon - FNH Contribution increased from 2% to 3%
With the tax year start for many countries in Africa around the corner i.e. 1 January we do expect a raft of changes coming through in the next month.
Global Payroll Association
Global Payroll Awards Feedback
At the end of June both Lofti Opperman and Grayson Hopkins went to the Global Payroll awards in Athens to represent the company and gain valuable insights Our entry was bolstered by our ability to run payrolls in 44 African countries using a cloud-based ISO 27001 accredited system . Further, our capabilities and track record of completing integrations with SuccessFactors, Workday, and other related systems, using API’s, certainly contributed to the shortlisting .
Although we did not win the award the insights gained, were extremely valuable . Importantly sometimes it feels coming from Africa that we are always lagging the rest of the world when it comes to the utilization and leveraging of technology. However, our experience proved that our offering across the continent in combination with our API abilities sits at the top tier of what is being done internationally More importantly further technology projects that we have been working on seems directly aligned to problems that need to be resolved globally.
A further congratulations to Payspace our payroll platform that won Transformation Project of the year 2024 .
Section 14 transfers under the two-pot system
One of the important matters currently under question is the Section 14 transfer process after 1 September 2024, the implementation date of the two-pot system. Many funds may be in various stages of the transfer process between funds, and it is important to seek clarity.
The technical issues around the section 14 transfer process have been dealt with in three main communications issued in 2024, namely:
1. Draft Amendments
2. FSCA Communication 21 OF 2024
3. FSCA Communication 31 of 2024
Death Benefit Investigations in terms of section 37C of the Pension Funds Act
Section 37C of the Pension Funds Act governs the distribution of retirement fund benefits upon a member’s death. These benefits must be paid to dependants and nominees, ensuring that the interests of dependants are prioritised. It also sets out the process that trustees must follow when deciding who qualifies as a dependant or nominee, and how much to allocate to them.
This piece of legislation aims to prevent disputes over pension payouts and to protect vulnerable beneficiaries. In order to discharge this duty fully, S37C gives trustees 12 months in which to conduct a thorough investigation of who the dependants are and the extent of their dependency.
Payroll Compliance in Africa: The High Cost of Cutting Corners
What does payroll compliance mean?
In the past, payroll compliance was focused primarily on the process and was audited, controlled and managed by the ubiquitous internal audit procedure. Those of us in the payroll space are all too familiar with a group of auditors descending on our office once a year to check
• Payroll audit files
• Ask for audit trails and files to ensure all instructions in the payroll followed a predefined process.
• Audit the access controls and adherence to these.
• Audit segregation of duties.
• And of course, asking idiotic non-related questions.
NOVEMBER 2024 UPDATE
In August 2024, we published our 2025 South Africa Salary Increase Forecast article Click Here, in which we suggested that a salary forecast is not difficult. We encouraged clients to adopt a scientific approach to the preliminary salary increase forecast and then use the unfolding economic data over the next few months to update the original estimates. These were wise words, as the October 2024 inflation rate was a shocking but welcome surprise.
Inflation slowed from 3.8% in September to 2.8% in October – the lowest reading since the 2.2% recorded in June 2020 when we were in the throes of the Covid pandemic.
Are your Employee Benefits up to scratch?
In addition to providing payroll services across 44 countries in Africa, Axiomatic also:
Consults to retirement funds in South Africa.
Arranges and manages risk cover (life cover, disability cover, dreaded diseases cover, funeral cover etc.) for employees in South Africa.
Advises and manages medial aid and medical insurance schemes in South Africa.
Advises and manages pan-African medical insurance schemes and risk cover across countries in Africa.
Manage an international medical insurance aimed at international employees and third country nationals in Africa.
Start a conversation with us by clicking here
Earned Wage Access (EWA)
EWA is a technology that integrates with the payroll system enabling employees to access a portion of their already earned salary at any point during the pay cycle.
What’s in it for the employer?
NO Cost NO MORE Advances Adds to EVP at NO COST Assists staff retention
of surveyed workers would be willing to work longer for an employer offering EWA.
Employer retains control & sets
• % of salary that can be accessed during the month.
• Amount of the minimum and maximum loan application
• Number of loan applications permissible during the month
• The period that the “window” for loans is open.
Growing popularity in the US, UK, Singapore, and Indonesia. SA Companies Already Introduced
of surveyed workers are more willing to switch to employers already offering EWA.
PnA, Sasol, Amrod, Bidvest, Smollan, Truworths Group, Sage, Switch Telecom, City Lodge, Sea Harvest, Total Energy, Macsteel, Continental Tires, Spar, Steers…
How does EWA work?
• The employee applies to Tyme Bank via an app, to open a bank account.
• Apply for the loan on the app.
• An API checks the payroll data.
• The loan is credited to the employee’s Tyme Bank account.
• The loan is deducted on payday.
• No cost to the employer but the employer can set parameters:
o Minimum R2k and maximum R5k per application.
o Total amount to be accessed during the month - no more than x% of salary earned to date.
• Charge = R30 per application.
• Employee does not have to change their salary bank account to Tyme Bank.
Spending Data
Our transport system is cash-based and this constitutes employees borrowing taxi fare to get to work.
Payroll Integration Using API’s
In the past, payroll was seen as outdated, relying on old methods and manual processes. However, recent technological advances have transformed payroll into a strategic asset, offering valuable data insights.
Axiomatic specialises in integrating payroll systems with APIs, using middleware to ensure seamless data exchange. This integration boosts efficiency, enhances the Employee Value Proposition, and maintains data accuracy and security.
For tailored, efficient, and secure Payroll Integration Solutions.
With a custom user interface and strong audit controls, Axiomatic balances tradition with efficiency, offering tailored, secure Payroll Integration Solutions. This powerful payroll functionality, combined with key middleware, allows companies of all sizes to overcome data silos by creating robust Applications, Data, and API integration on-premise and in the Cloud, all from a single interface.
Referral Program
Axiomatic recognises that a significant amount of our new business is referred to us by our current clients.
We appreciate these “word of mouth” referrals and want to recognise and reward clients making referrals by introducing our new referral program
Step 1
Identify a company looking for a professional and expert payroll provider.
Step 2
Simply, send an email to your Axiomatic contact, detailing the name of the company, the contact person, and the contact.
Step 3
Axiomatic will make contact. If the prospect signs with Axiomatic, you will receive a Takealot voucher for the amount detailed below
1 to 250
251 to 1,000
1,001 to 2,500
2,501 and above
Important information
R 1,000.00 $50
R 5,000.00 $275
R 10,000.00 $550
1. It would be helpful if the contact person is aware that Axiomatic will be contacting them. This increases your chances of receiving the referral reward.
2. Axiomatic will follow up on every lead you provide.
3. Once the new company has signed our Proposal, we will notify you that your reward voucher is due.
4. Once the new company’s payroll goes live, you will receive your voucher within 30 days. No. of employees
EMERGING MARKETS PAYROLL
Axiomatic is excited to announce that we have formed a payroll alliance that extends our coverage of 44 African countries , now includes an additional 37 emerging market countries.
Emerging Markets Payroll (EMP) is a payroll alliance of three specialist Regional Payroll Providers that collectively offer comprehensive payroll support for 80 countries in emerging markets across Africa, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.
Our alliance partners are:
Links International – the company was established in 1999 and provides services across the Asia Pacific region in 20 countries.
Payroll Worldwide – the company was established in 2007 and provides coverage in Latin America in 14 countries.
At EMP, our team of 320+ is committed to streamlining and simplifying your payroll processes in emerging markets using secure cloud-based technology. Further, EMP’s ability to integrate with leading HCMs including Workday, SuccessFactors, and Oracle HCM will ensure a seamless journey for your business.
Looking for a payroll provider who knows the ropes? Axiomatic EMP Services helps you save time and cut costs. Get in touch today for a free consultation.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation!
ESS NOW ON WHATS APP
Hi, I’m Pacey, your employee self-service bot.
I can help you with payroll + HR requests
• Historical payslips: PDF / text format
• Apply for leave
• Approve inbox items
• View current leave balance
• View personal information
1 Easy & Secure Registration
1. Register using employee's national identification (ID) number. 2. Pacey will check that their mobile number and identification number matches their profile on PaySpace to verify them.
Interactive Messages 2
Pacey uses interactive messages which gives users a simpler and more consistent way to select the options available to them.
achieve significantly higher response rates compared to text-based lists
Pricing & Edition requirements
Pacey will be licensed as an additional service as explained below.
• Companies using Pacey must be on the Premier / Master Edition as this is a self-service feature.
• The license fee will be charged per active employee, which will provide each employee with a predefined number of conversations per calendar month.
• The pricing structure allows customers to choose from 5, 10, 20, or 30 conversations per employee, per calendar month.
• Employees will be limited to the number of conversations the company chooses. Every time an employee starts a new conversation with Pacey, they will be notified of how many conversations they have remaining for the calendar month.
• The Pacey contact number will be shared with customers upon purchasing this module including a QR code that makes it easy for an employee to scan and save the contact.
How can I help you today?
New Take-on Features
This announcement is only applicable to Business Partners.
We’re thrilled to introduce new features designed to enhance efficiency in company implementations and better support our Business Partners during take-ons
Take - on Settings
We’re introducing two settings on frequency level that will grant you the ability to configure take-ons according to varying company implementation needs.
1. Keep runs open during implementation
Customers may request to insert backdated runs as opposed to processing their values as a YTD total on the Take-On Year to Date figures screen. While processing, you may need these runs to remain open until all processing is approved and finalised.
We’re introducing a frequency setting that enables you the ability to select a date to keep backdated runs open until the specified date has passed.
2. Prevent calculations during take-on
During Run-by-Run take-ons, customers may request the suspension of system calculations to facilitate the import of specific amounts or quantities to employees’ payslips in order to avoid financial discrepancies with previously recorded totals.
We’re introducing an additional frequency setting that will allow you to select a date where runs prior to this date will not process any system calculations.
Important: No other calculations will occur for runs that are before the specified date where this setting has been enabled.
New Bulk Upload functionalities
In addition to this, we have introduced two additional bulk upload options to improve processing efficiency during implementation.
1. Take on Run-by-run Figures
Going hand-in-hand with the setting above that prevents calculations, this new bulk action functionality will allow you to post the final advised amount and quantity that you would like to see on employees payslips per run for the selected frequency. The new Action Type dropdown option will be available under the employee “Payroll Processing” section and will only be shown when a date has been specified in the aforementioned setting.
(Note: The Payslip Run dropdown will display open runs with pay dates that fall before the specified date on the relevant run-by-run setting.)
Here is an example of the fields available on the template:
Important: No figures can be posted directly to payslips on the Edit payslip screen or using the Payslips bulk upload when the setting for run-by run take-ons is enabled.
2. Arrears Recovery
When companies move over to a different payroll system, the need may arise to bring over arrears balances from the previous system. This bulk upload is necessary to capture the closing recovery amount for recurring deductions during take-ons. Here is an example of the fields available on the template:
