March 202 5
System Updates
DFB – Onboarding Template Enhancements
Draft Auto-Save Functionality
Previously, when users captured details for a new employee using the onboarding templates created on the Dynamic Form Builder and navigated away, logged out or experienced a session timeout, the details captured were not saved.
We’ve introduced a draft auto-save function that will retain details users have captured on the page, allowing them to resume where they left off.
Add New Employee – Custom Onboarding Template Bulk Upload
We’ve also added the ability to upload employees via Bulk Action using onboarding templates created on the Dynamic Form Builder. When custom onboarding templates are enabled on the Dynamic Form builder, users will be presented with the option to upload their custom onboarding templates in bulk or, using the system default, add new employee template.
For South African customers on Lite, both the system default template and Quick Add template are available for selection.
Access to Tax Breakdown on ESS
Last year, we gathered your feedback on allowing ESS users to download their Tax Breakdown directly from the Employee Self-Service portal. Based on your input, we’ve allowed employees to access and download their Tax Breakdown from the Other Actions dropdown menu.
For companies that prefer restricting access to the Tax Breakdown, we’re introducing a new General Setting: Hide Tax Breakdown on Payslip Screen for ESS Users.
Enabling this setting will remove the Other Actions dropdown from the ESS payslip screen, preventing ESS users from downloading their Tax Breakdown.
Leave Priority – Leave Cancellation
When companies have multiple leave buckets per leave type and employees apply for leave using leave priority, the leave days are deducted from the leave balance based on the order set for each bucket.
When an employee cancelled their leave, these days were automatically returned to bucket 1. We’ve enhanced this process so that when an employee cancels their leave application, the leave balance is returned to the specific bucket from which the leave was originally taken.
For example, if an employee has no leave balance in bucket 1, the leave days will be deducted from bucket 2 and when the employee cancels leave, the days will be allocated back to bucket 2.
Compliance Updates
Legislation updates for March 2025
South Africa:
• Changes to travel and Subsistence rates for 2025/2026
• New ETI rates
• BCEA earnings threshold
• Is your current medical aid broker ensuring that your employees are kept informed and making the best choices?
• Did you know that you can switch brokers at no cost to you? Talk to us for trusted advice!
FEBRUARY 2025 UPDATE
In August 2024 (click here) we published our 2025 South Africa Salary Increase Forecast article and revisited our forecast in November 2024 (click here) where we encouraged clients to adopt a scientific approach to the preliminary salary increase forecast and then to use the unfolding economic data over the next few months to update the original forecast. Wise words as inflation has been moving persistently lower. The October 2024 inflation rate of 2.8% in October was the lowest reading since the 2.2% recorded in June 2020 when we were in the throes of the Covid pandemic. Inflation has ticked up slightly to 3.9% in December 2024.
The salient reasons for the slight increase in December 2024 can be attributed to housing and utilities (4.4%), miscellaneous goods and services (6.6%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.5%) and alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.3%).
Streamlining Payroll with Automation: A Real-Life Case Study.
Recently there have been hundreds of articles published that state that AI, APIs, integrations and automation are the way of the future and will radically transform payroll. While we agree wholeheartedly, the articles fail to furnish practical advice, tangible examples and/or a case study. One is often left wondering how one can take advantage of this technology. Given this, we will publish a series of articles which provide practical examples of how we, and our clients, have harnessed the power of new technology to streamline processes and save money.
A large client wanted to streamline the salary increase process to provide payroll with a mass update and an automated process to deliver salary increase letters to the employees.
Retirement fund contributions:
Recent Court ruling
Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act imposes a statutory obligation on employers to pay the retirement fund contributions they deduct from employees in terms of the fund’s rules.
There are two parts to the monthly contribution process:
• The actual contributions due and payable to the fund, and
• The supporting information schedule accompanies the deposit into the fund’s bank account. (In terms of Conduct Standard 1 of 2022: Requirements related to the payment of pension fund contributions).
Payroll Integration Using API’s
In the past, payroll was seen as outdated, relying on old methods and manual processes. However, recent technological advances have transformed payroll into a strategic asset, offering valuable data insights.
Axiomatic specialises in integrating payroll systems with APIs, using middleware to ensure seamless data exchange. This integration boosts efficiency, enhances the Employee Value Proposition, and maintains data accuracy and security.
For tailored, efficient, and secure Payroll Integration Solutions.
With a custom user interface and strong audit controls, Axiomatic balances tradition with efficiency, offering tailored, secure Payroll Integration Solutions. This powerful payroll functionality, combined with key middleware, allows companies of all sizes to overcome data silos by creating robust Applications, Data, and API integration on-premise and in the Cloud, all from a single interface.
Axiomatic is proud to partner with ERS Bio. This partnership ensures that the T&A solution provided by ERS Bio, seamlessly integrates with the payroll platform thus saving time and preventing errors.
ERSBio is a South African leader in Time & Attendance and Access Control solutions. Founded in 2003, it offers a cloud-based platform integrating with payroll and HR systems like PaySpace by Deel. Its biometric hardware Facial Recognition, Fingerprint, and Card Machines—ensures accurate time tracking. Key modules include Time & Attendance, Web Clocking, and a Mobile App with GPS tracking. ERSBio provides in-house developed software and strong after-sales support.
Contact: 010 593 0593 | sales@ersbiometrics.co.za
Danie Smal (CPT): danie@ersbiometrics.co.za | 076 828 9968
www.ersbio.co.za
Emerging Markets Payroll (EMP)
A payroll alliance of 3 specialist Regional Payroll Providers who together provide deep local HR and payroll support for 80+ countries in emerging markets across APAC, Africa and LATAM.
Service Offerings in Asia + Middle East
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Cross Border / FDI Specialist Services
Fund, Trust and Fiduciary Services
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Risk Assurance & Audit Corporate Services
Advisory
Private Client Services / Family Office
Links International’s 2025 Asia Salary Guide: The Workforce of Tomorrow offers in-depth insights into the evolving job market landscape across Hong Kong, Singapore, and Mainland China.
As these economies rapidly transform driven by innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) & automation, and shifting workforce dynamics businesses are focusing on building resilience, adapting to global uncertainties, and seizing new opportunities.
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ESS NOW ON WHATS APP
Hi, I’m Pacey, your employee self-service bot.
I can help you with payroll + HR requests
• Historical payslips: PDF / text format
• Apply for leave
• Approve inbox items
• View current leave balance
• View personal information
1 Easy & Secure Registration
1. Register using employee's national identification (ID) number. 2. Pacey will check that their mobile number and identification number matches their profile on PaySpace to verify them.
Interactive Messages 2
Pacey uses interactive messages which gives users a simpler and more consistent way to select the options available to them.
achieve significantly higher response rates compared to text-based lists
Pricing & Edition requirements
Pacey will be licensed as an additional service as explained below.
• Companies using Pacey must be on the Premier / Master Edition as this is a self-service feature.
• The license fee will be charged per active employee, which will provide each employee with a predefined number of conversations per calendar month.
• The pricing structure allows customers to choose from 5, 10, 20, or 30 conversations per employee, per calendar month.
• Employees will be limited to the number of conversations the company chooses. Every time an employee starts a new conversation with Pacey, they will be notified of how many conversations they have remaining for the calendar month.
• The Pacey contact number will be shared with customers upon purchasing this module including a QR code that makes it easy for an employee to scan and save the contact.
How can I help you today?
