Here’s a familiar payroll panic: it’s Thursday afternoon, payday is looming, and suddenly you realize someone’s hours weren’t entered, a deduction was missed, or a new employee wasn’t added to the run. Cue the frantic call to rerun payroll.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
At Payroll Complete, we work with small businesses across Alabama who occasionally find themselves needing an “out-of-cycle” or “reprocess” payroll. It’s understandable—things get missed. But rerunning payroll isn’t just a minor inconvenience. It can cost you in time, money, and even compliance risk.
Let’s break down what it really means to rerun payroll, the hidden costs involved, and—most importantly—how you can avoid having to do it in the first place.
What Does It Mean to Rerun Payroll?
Rerunning payroll, sometimes called an “off-cycle” or “manual reprocess,” happens when you need to correct an error or process a payment outside your regular payroll schedule. Common reasons include:
- Missed or incorrect hours
- Last-minute bonuses or commissions
- New hires not entered in time
- Incorrect withholdings
- Missed terminations
- Manual checks issued outside of the system
While some reprocesses are necessary (emergencies do happen), frequent reruns usually point to an underlying issue in your payroll process.
The Real Cost of Payroll Errors
Payroll isn’t just about pushing “pay.” It’s a complex system tied to taxes, benefits, garnishments, and legal deadlines. Every time you rerun payroll, you risk:
💰 Extra Fees
Processing off-cycle payroll typically incurs a fee. These fees may vary depending on your provider and the complexity of the adjustment. At Payroll Complete, we aim to keep our clients informed about any out-of-cycle charges up front—but not every provider is as transparent.
⏳ Lost Time
Rerunning payroll requires going back into reports, editing data, verifying approvals, and communicating with employees. That’s hours lost that you’ll never get back—especially if it happens often.
⚠️ Compliance Risks
Incorrect or delayed payroll can lead to late tax payments, incorrect W-2s, or failure to meet labor laws—especially when overtime or final pay is involved. The cost of payroll mistakes adds up fast, and penalties for non-compliance are steep.
😠 Frustrated Employees
Let’s be honest: nothing tanks morale faster than payroll errors. Late or missing pay makes employees feel undervalued and often results in trust issues or even turnover.
The Root of the Problem? Timekeeping
Based on our experience, one of the leading causes of reprocessing payroll is poor timekeeping. When time and attendance are tracked manually—or worse, not tracked at all—errors become inevitable.
Our clients who use MyEmployerOnTheGo for timekeeping drastically reduce the number of payroll errors we see. That’s because integrated timekeeping automates:
- Clock-in/clock-out tracking
- Break and overtime calculations
- PTO requests and approvals
- Timesheet exports directly to payroll
Need proof? Here are the 10 Timekeeping Benefits That Can Transform Your Payroll.
How to Avoid Costly Reruns
Now for the good news: you can take steps to dramatically reduce the chances of rerunning payroll. Here’s how:
✅ Use an Integrated Timekeeping System
Ditch paper timesheets and spreadsheets. Use a digital platform like MyEmployerOnTheGo that syncs directly with your payroll processing. This eliminates data entry errors and saves you a ton of time.
✅ Set a Payroll Cutoff Reminder
Establish a hard deadline for timesheet submissions and stick to it. Send automated reminders to employees and managers before the cutoff date.
✅ Double-Check New Hires and Changes
Before payroll day, verify that all new hires, rate changes, terminations, and deductions have been entered. A simple checklist can go a long way.
✅ Partner with a Payroll Provider That Has Your Back
At Payroll Complete, our team doesn’t just run numbers—we help you avoid the headaches in the first place. We proactively monitor trends in your payroll and flag potential issues before they become expensive problems.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes happen. But when payroll errors become routine, it’s more than just a nuisance—it’s a drain on your business.
By investing in smart timekeeping tools, improving communication, and partnering with a full-service payroll provider like Payroll Complete, you can reduce rerun risk, save money, and build a smoother payday for everyone involved.
Need help cleaning up your payroll process? Let’s make it right—from the start.