Payroll - Do your payslips show Long Service Leave? (Aussie only)

Long Service Leave (LSL) is an essential benefit for employees, recognizing their dedication and long-term commitment to a company. Many accounting solutions do not automatically calculate LSL provisions. This lack of automation can lead to transparency issues, as employees may find it difficult to track their LSL balances. Furthermore, the legislation governing LSL varies significantly across regions, adding an extra layer of complexity. For instance, the provisions in Victoria differ from those in New South Wales, necessitating a tailored approach for businesses operating in multiple states.

Adhering to Varied Legislation

The Challenge: The rules surrounding LSL are not uniform across all states and territories in Australia, making compliance a tricky affair for businesses operating in multiple locations.

Solution: To navigate this complexity, businesses must:

• Stay informed: Keep abreast of the LSL legislation in each state or territory where the company operates
• Tailor payslip information: Customize the payslip information to reflect the specific LSL provisions applicable to each employee, based on their work location

Visibility of Long Service Leave

The Challenge: Employees deserve and need clear visibility of their LSL accruals to plan their future and feel secure in their employment benefits. The absence of this information can lead to confusion and dissatisfaction.

Solution: Even if your accounting solution doesn't automatically calculate LSL, businesses must find a workaround to ensure this information is transparent and accessible to all employees. This might involve:

• Manual calculations: Regularly update LSL accruals and ensure they are clearly stated on employee payslips
• Use of supplementary tools: Consider leveraging third-party solutions to manage LSL calculations and display them on payslips

❌ Figure: Bad example - Employees have to ask HR for their LSL balance, leading to a backlog of inquiries

✅ Figure: Good example - LSL balances are updated regularly and displayed on every payslip

Ensuring employees have visibility of their LSL balances is not just about compliance; it's about valuing your workforce and their contribution to your company. Despite the technical limitations of some accounting tools, with a proactive and informed approach, businesses can provide their employees with the transparency they deserve and ensure compliance across different legislative landscapes.