Preparing for Disaster in Payroll

Preparing for Disaster in Payroll

In this webinar we will discuss in-depth what is required for the payroll department to continue operating properly during disaster situations. We will provide guidelines for creating a disaster program, identify critical elements necessary for a successful program and provide sample charts explaining critical functions.

Background

Back in 1999 with Y2K looming on the disaster horizon many payroll departments were coerced into creating elaborate and multileveled disaster plans that may have even included guarding offices in case of riots and having enough currency on hand to pay all employees in cash. But when Y2K turned out to be a dud many of these disaster plans were shelved—perhaps a bit too quickly. Because 20+ years later after experiencing power outages in the Northeast, severe storms in the Midwest, massive and more frequent hurricanes, devastating wildfires in California, the horrible events of 9-11, and a world-wide pandemic, it has become all too clear that disaster recovery plans must be a critical part of any payroll department’s long range planning. Payroll professionals are all too aware that any business disruption—nature or manmade—cannot only short circuit paychecks and third-party transactions, but also expose the company to penalties and fines for noncompliance in paying employees or in reporting and remitting payroll reports and employment taxes.

Areas Covered

• Establishing a new disaster plan
• Improving an existing plan
• Identifying the critical functions that must be done
• Identifying the processes that can wait
• Handling the physical side of disaster including moving offices and staff
• Preparing for remote working from home
• Identifying who are key personal and who are not
• Including the human factor of a disaster—taking care of personnel
• Keeping prepared on a daily basis including
• • Backing up files and storing off site
  • Cross training payroll staff and establishing back up teams
  • Keeping manuals and other materials up to date
  • Keeping disaster emergency kits full and fresh

Who Should Attend

• Payroll Executives/Managers/Administrators/Professionals/Practitioners/Entry Level Personnel
• Human Resources Executives/Managers/Administrators
• Accounting Personnel
• Business Owners/Executive Officers/Operations and Departmental Managers
• Lawmakers
• Attorneys/Legal Professionals
• Any individual or entity that must ensure the continued smooth and efficient operation of the payroll function before, during and after a disaster strikes