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Understanding employee pay details

This article explains what each section of the employee pay details means.

J
Written by Jonathan
Updated over 2 months ago

When you select an employee in a pay run, you'll see a detailed breakdown of all the elements that contribute to their pay. Understanding this information helps you verify that employees are being paid correctly.


Employee header information

At the top of the employee's pay details, you'll see:

  • Name: The employee's name

  • Pay schedule: Weekly or Fortnightly

  • Award: The award they're employed under (if applicable)

  • Gross pay: Amount earned before any deductions

  • Net amount: The amount the employee will receive after all deductions


Work pattern score

The work pattern score shows how closely the employee worked according to their expected pattern:

  • 100%: Worked exactly as expected

  • Below 100%: Worked fewer hours than expected

  • Above 100%: Worked more hours than expected

Work pattern graph

Below the score, a graph displays:

  • The type of time worked each day (ordinary hours, leave, overtime, etc.)

  • How this compares to the employee's expected work pattern for each day of the pay period

Note: The further from 100%, the greater the variance from their normal pattern. While a variance doesn't necessarily indicate a problem, it may be worth investigating.


Award comparison test

This section only appears for employees on an Individual Flexibility Agreement under an award supported by PaySauce. The comparison shows what the employee is being paid versus what they would earn if paid strictly according to the award for this pay period.

Test result:

  • Passed: Employee is earning the same or more than they would under strict award rates

  • Not passed: Employee may be earning less than award rates

    • Check overtime payments and other factors

    • Not passing doesn't prevent processing the pay run, but you should investigate

Details shown:

  • Award hourly rate: The hourly rate dictated by the award for this classification

  • Actual hourly rate: The hourly rate the employee is being paid

  • Award pay: The gross pay they would earn according to the award

  • Actual pay: The gross pay they are being paid


Breakdown section

The breakdown shows all components that determine the employee's final pay. These figures update as you make changes to any section.

Hourly rate

Shows how the employee's hourly rate is determined, taking into account:

  • Award rates

  • Casual loading

  • Youth rates

  • Other applicable factors

Hour details

Lists the amount and volume of each type of pay included in the pay run:

  • Ordinary hours

  • Public holidays

  • Overtime

  • Leave (annual leave, sick leave, etc.)

  • Additional earnings

Gross pay

The sum of all hours and rates before any deductions are taken.

Allowances and deductions

All allowances, reimbursements, and deductions are listed as positive or negative numbers showing their impact on total pay.

PAYG

The withholding tax amount based on the pay details and the employee's tax settings.

Net pay

The final amount the employee will receive after all deductions.


Calculation breakdown

Select Calculation breakdown to expand a detailed view of the exact method used to calculate the employee's final pay.

Note: If the pay includes an award comparison, you can also view the award calculator used in the comparison.


Payslip preview

Select View Payslip to see the payslip the employee will receive based on the current pay details.

The payslip includes:

  • All details from the breakdown section

  • Superannuation guarantee contributions

  • Current leave balances

Note: Select Print / Save to PDF to download or print the payslip using your device's print functionality.


Making adjustments

While viewing an employee's pay details, you can:

  • Add or edit timesheets

  • Approve or decline pending timesheets

  • Add or edit leave requests

  • Approve or decline pending leave requests

  • Add allowances or deductions

  • Add additional earnings

  • Add or approve reimbursements

All changes are reflected immediately in the breakdown and gross/net pay calculations.


Common Questions

The gross pay looks wrong

Review the hour details section to see exactly what's been included. Check that all timesheets are correct and that no duplicate entries exist.

The PAYG tax amount seems incorrect

PAYG is calculated based on the employee's gross pay and their tax settings. Check the employee's tax details in their employee record to ensure their tax file number and tax residency status are correct.

The work pattern graph shows unexpected results

Compare the graph to the employee's actual timesheets and leave requests. If they took leave or worked overtime, the graph will reflect this as a variance from their normal pattern.

I can't see the award comparison

Award comparisons only appear for employees on Individual Flexibility Agreements under awards supported by PaySauce (has "Flat rate employee" selected in their employee settings). If the employee is paid strictly according to the award or is a "no award" employee, no comparison is shown.

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