According to PayrollOrg’s (PAYO) survey, many U.S. workers are uneasy about integrating AI into payroll processes. Specifically, 39% of respondents expressed discomfort with AI calculating their pay, while 53% were uncomfortable with AI answering payroll-related questions instead of a human.
“Payroll is more than just a technical process. It’s deeply tied to the livelihoods and financial well-being of employees. This survey shows that many workers still prefer the assurance of working with payroll professionals when it comes to complex payroll matters, despite the benefits AI can provide,” said Dan Maddux, executive director at PAYO.
The survey shows that human involvement and oversight are crucial to fostering trust among employees. Companies, however, are still looking for ways to strike a balance between AI’s speed and accuracy and the personalized service employees expect. Transparency and educating employees about AI’s role in payroll processes may be key to building confidence.
Teresa Smith, director of the HCM strategic advisory group at UKG, highlighted the importance of organizations helping employees understand the role of AI, especially in areas such as payroll. She explains that AI can alert employees and managers to potential issues, such as missed clock-ins or pay discrepancies, and highlight opportunities for increased earnings through skill development or certifications.
Moreover, AI-powered payroll reporting will streamline the process of analysing large amounts of data to uncover insights that can guide business strategy.