Q: I have a question around what records we are required to keep as payroll intermediaries. Our clients are all registered charities and they can onboard in quite a state. As much as we try, we do not always get complete records, often simply because our clients do not have this themselves or appreciate the need.
I am currently working through the checklists provided in the recent compliance webinar and wanted to check what is the expectation for intermediaries from your point of view? I am clear on what records employers are required to keep but wanted to get your take on whether we are held to the same standard in our role? Ie. what would a labour inspector be expecting to see from us?
A: The liability for record keeping is with the employer, what is held or retained by the payroll intermediary would be based on the contract as they act as an agent for the employer.
There is a problem with this because the employer usually just assumes that the payroll intermediary holds all the information required. Needs to be clearly stated and reinforced when the contract is signed.