If the week’s payroll goes out even a few hours late, or if a deduction is miscalculated, you know you can count on screaming voicemails and exclamation point-filled e-mails. Want to avoid that? You can’t forsee every potential emergency that might hit Payroll, but a little advance planning can go a long way to minimizing the hassle if someone is out sick or a technical glitch gums up the works.

Chances are you already have a clearly explained “job manual” available for any subs who may have to step in to help out. Taking that a few steps farther can help keep things moving efficiently.

Creating a similar version of that manual — but one designed for employees — can shrink the number of questions you have to deal with.

Make sure it includes commonly requested forms (W-4s, vacation requests, etc.). Ideally, if you can keep it on a company intranet, accesible only to those who need it, you can also include critical info for department managers, such as new hire checklists, employee time card info, and the like.

Tags: efficiency, Payroll, staffing, training