The UK hotel industry continues to face mounting pressure: rising operational costs, ongoing staffing shortages, and the need to provide a consistent guest experience. Among these challenges, one silent productivity killer continues to impact businesses behind the scenes—inefficient payroll and time management processes.

Discover how 23,000+ HR professionals and employees across 18 European countries—including 5,000+ from the UK—are redefining productivity, flexibility, and employee well-being in the workplace. Our Time Navigator Report is your essential guide to navigating today’s complex work environment.

If payroll errors, inefficiencies, or outdated systems are causing constant headaches, switching to a better payroll provider might be the smartest move your business makes. But many companies avoid making the switch out of fear—fear of disruption, data loss, or a complicated transition process.

The good news? Switching payroll providers doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right approach (and the right provider), it can be a smooth, stress-free transition.

Payroll isn’t the first thing businesses think about—until it goes wrong. Whether it’s late payments, compliance issues, or inefficient manual processes, payroll problems can quickly cause chaos and cost.

That’s why choosing the right payroll provider is one of the most important (but often overlooked) business decisions a company has to make.

Payroll is often seen as a back-office function—just another process that happens behind the scenes. In reality, payroll professionals are the backbone of every organisation. Without them, businesses would struggle to pay employees accurately, stay compliant with legislation, and maintain trust.

So why is payroll so often overlooked? And how can we start giving payroll professionals the recognition they deserve?

The best payroll systems are the ones you never have to worry about. They work behind the scenes, ensuring employees get paid on time, compliance risks are minimised, and businesses avoid costly mistakes. 

At SD Worx, we believe in building strong partnerships with our clients to shape the future of work together. We recently brought that vision to life at The Future of Worx, an exclusive customer event hosted at the Embassy of Belgium in London. 

The UK government has announced that employers will no longer be required to provide more detailed employee hours data through Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Real Time Information (RTI) returns from April 2026. This decision follows feedback from businesses, which highlighted the potential administrative burden of the proposed changes.

As we move through 2025, employers need to prepare for updates to statutory rates that impact key areas such as parental leave, sick pay, and redundancy calculations.  

HM Treasury has recently consulted on changes to Statutory Payment policies that will impact payroll software and employer reimbursements. These changes are set to take effect from 6 April 2025 and will bring significant updates to the compensation rates for various statutory payments.

The Real Living Wage is becoming an increasingly important focus for businesses aiming to support their employees and foster a positive workplace culture. Implementing this wage structure ensures employees earn a fair income that reflects the true cost of living, but navigating the complexities of compliance can be a challenge.

As AI becomes more prevalent across industries, HR leaders are facing a powerful opportunity: using AI to transform HR practices in ways that streamline operations, enhance employee experiences, and make data-driven decisions. However, the road to effective AI integration in HR is about striking a balance between technology’s potential and the inherent value of human insight. So, where should you start?