As businesses grow, it is natural to want to branch out into new places and target new markets.
The UK presents a unique opportunity for growth as the individual countries that make up the union have their own demographics and markets that savvy businesses can leverage.
However, even though Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland ostensibly follow the same rules as England, there are some key differences when it comes to payrolling that clients need to know before they expand.
What are the main differences in payroll between the UK countries?
Each of the devolved nations has its own specific approach to payroll that can catch unprepared businesses unawares.
When operating in Wales, businesses must follow the guidelines established by the Welsh Language Measure 2011.
All public bodies, and some private employers, need to ensure that core employment documents feature a Welsh translation when they are sent to multiple people or at the request of an individual.
Despite not being sent to multiple individuals, payslips do qualify as core employment documents and would need a Welsh translation on request.
Instead of waiting for employees to request a translation on their payslips, or other documents, it is best for your client to get ahead and provide the translation when they start operating in Wales.
This will show that they care about the new team they are building by getting ahead of a potential issue.
If your client has their sights set on Scotland, then they should be aware of the culture of pay there.
While Scotland technically adheres to the UK’s National Minimum Wage, it is becoming the norm to follow the Real Living Wage campaign.
This sees a higher rate of pay for employees, with workers receiving £12.60 per hour rather than £12.21 from accredited Living Wage employers.
While this is not a legal requirement, it follows the same logic as adopting the Welsh language early.
Your client wants to demonstrate that they understand the culture of the country in which they operate, and you can guide them to this goal.
Similarly, Northern Ireland places a notable emphasis on hybrid working tax reliefs that can lead to additional complexities when payrolling there.
For businesses that operate on both sides of the Irish border, it is sometimes necessary to maintain double payrolls to accommodate the differences between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
How can my client stay payroll compliant across the UK?
By far the biggest barriers to payroll compliance are a lack of awareness and an inability to maintain efficient records.
Glasscubes seeks to address the issues encountered with payroll by making information acquisition as stress-free as possible.
The secure, centralised location allows you to work with clients to attain all relevant files without having to rely on your email standing out among the hundreds your client receives daily.
Automated reminders ensure that deadlines are not missed and that you do not waste valuable time in chasing up clients for their information.
When a client operates across borders, you can set reminders for which documents are required for each part of the business to make it easier for them to remain compliant in all their transaction.
Help support your clients’ growth across the UK. Book a demo today!
