21% of Irish workers were not paid on time

A whopping 21% of employees in Ireland were paid late multiple times in the last 12 months.

As well as 21% of Irish workers not getting paid on time, insult was added to injury when 27% said they reported errors in their salary calculations.

That’s according to an independent study commissioned by payroll software firm SD Worx and carried out by iVOX among 1,000 workers across Ireland.

The research aimed to gain insights into the efficiency and accuracy of payment processes in Ireland and how they are impacting the workforce.

Salary is a sacred covenant

Its findings point to a broader need for businesses to reassess how they manage payroll operations.

SD Worx’s research also revealed that a significant portion of employees (39%) would prefer greater flexibility in choosing when they receive their salary, with the option for early access to better meet their financial needs.

It found that transparency in payroll processes is a key issue with 10% of employees reporting that questions regarding their payslips remain unanswered, underscoring the need for clearer communication around payroll. This highlights the growing demand for payroll proficiency as employees seek greater autonomy over their finances.

The survey suggests that as businesses continue to struggle with the hiring and retention of talented people, these issues could have a profound impact on their ability to do so. SD Worx’s research found that 56% of employees consider salary to be the most important factor when choosing an organisation to work with.

A similar proportion (54%), meanwhile, said that salary is a key factor for being engaged and motivated within an organisation. Given the motivational role that salary plays, unsurprisingly, some 40% of those surveyed said that dissatisfaction with their salary would be a main reason for leaving an employer.

“Getting payroll right and on-time is not just about compliance—it’s about protecting the financial well-being of employees and sustaining a positive employer-employee relationship,” said Eimear Byrne, country leader at SD Worx Ireland.

“A person’s salary is deeply personal; it has a major and wide-reaching impact on employees’ lives and enables them to pay their mortgage or rent, pay childcare costs, buy groceries, cover medical expenses, or even just buy a special gift for someone.

“Payroll doesn’t just impact the individual; it has a societal impact, too. By ensuring their payroll is clear and transparent, businesses can gain key insights into the equality and fairness of salary payments – helping them to determine areas for improvement. Part of this must include transparency for employees and ensuring that they understand how their salary figure is determined. This is also good for business, as our research underscores that an efficient and precise payroll process is crucial to fostering a motivated and loyal workforce.

“At SD Worx, we see first-hand the influence that salary has on people’s lives and encourage businesses to reassess their approach to payroll to ensure accuracy, openness and clarity for all employees.”

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