It's About Payroll

Uncovering Payroll Fraud: Strategies, Stories, and Solutions

IUncovering Payroll Insights, True Crimes, and Fraud Prevention Strategies

In this comprehensive episode of 'It's About Payroll, It's About Your Paycheck,' hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan II introduce TimeTrack Go, discuss its benefits, and invite listeners to their webinar on October 29th. The episode includes condolences for Hurricane Helene victims, updates on U.S. port strikes and elections, and features true crime stories involving payroll fraud. Key discussions encompass job security derived from workplace secrets, wage theft by a former Wendy's manager, and the financial crime case of Linda Johnson. The hosts emphasize the significance of fraud detection, regular audits, and the use of automated systems in payroll processes, advocating for business continuity, transparency, and professional ethics.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:23 Upcoming Webinar Announcement

01:18 Casual Conversation and Catching Up

03:17 Current Events and Updates

06:39 True Payroll Crimes: New Orleans Case

16:17 True Payroll Crimes: Wendy's Ghost Employee

20:45 Financial Struggles and Justifications

21:49 John Q: A Moral Dilemma

23:10 Consequences of Fraudulent Actions

23:58 Professional Reputation and Integrity

27:13 Strengthening Payroll Oversight

28:53 The Importance of Audits and Controls

30:14 Leveraging Technology in Payroll

34:44 Case Study: Payroll Fraud Detection

38:14 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

42:24 Closing Remarks and Community Engagement

In the final episode of Season 10 for 'It's About Payroll' the hosts reflect on their journey and the evolution of the podcasts. The episode covers discussions about the potential impact of venting at work, advisories on staying safe amidst a looming storm in South Florida, and the importance of having payroll professionals in decision-making positions like the IRS's Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee. The significance of concise content delivery and engaging guest appearances are emphasized. The hosts also express excitement about joining the podcast network, Work Defined, and highlight their plans for the upcoming seasons, including featuring guest creators specializing in advice for employees. The episode emphasizes the importance of knowing employee rights, especially in states like New York and California, and explores the show's commitment to remain employee-centric while being informative for payroll professionals.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:22 Season 10 Finale: Reflections and Updates

01:17 Weather Woes: Preparing for the Storm

04:32 Season Recap: Highlights and Favorites

05:11 Payroll News: PAYORG Announcement

08:16 Sponsorship Shoutout: TimeTrakGO

09:16 Season Review: Key Takeaways and Future Plans

17:36 Network Collaborations and Exciting Guests

18:25 Shoutout to Britney Furr

19:42 National Payroll Week Highlights

20:08 Building a Presence on TikTok

21:11 Upcoming Season Expectations

23:38 Engaging with Other Creators

26:48 The Importance of Venting at Work

33:33 Transparency and Wellness in Payroll

34:58 True Crime and Payroll Stories

36:05 Final Thoughts and Sign Off

In this episode of 'It's About Payroll,' hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan II delve into the intricacies of payroll in Texas, particularly focusing on legal deductions such as court-ordered payments, law-required withholdings, and the necessity of written consent from employees. They discuss recent economic updates, including a potential port strike affecting consumer prices and the cost of goods. Furthermore, they touch upon current events related to employment, like Amazon's back-to-office mandates and Citibank's security measures. The episode highlights the critical need for both employers and employees to understand payroll laws like Texas's payday law, promoting transparency and compliance. They encourage employers to educate their teams and employees to be proactive in understanding their paychecks.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:21 Episode Overview and Texas Deductions

00:46 Quarter End Preparations

01:30 Hispanic Heritage Month and Breast Cancer Awareness

02:20 News Update: Looming Port Strike

04:55 Consumer Impact and Preparedness

08:03 Corporate Updates: Amazon, Citibank, and Tesla

11:32 Main Topic: Texas Deductions

13:54 Understanding Medical Deductions

14:12 Handling Overpayments in Payroll

14:57 Employer Deductions and Fees

15:45 Navigating Texas Employee Law

17:16 Importance of Written Consent

18:02 Employee Handbooks and Legal Advice

20:20 Balancing Employer and Employee Responsibilities

25:35 Attitude and Workplace Culture

28:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of 'It's About Payroll,' hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan II delve into the intricacies of payroll in Texas, particularly focusing on legal deductions such as court-ordered payments, law-required withholdings, and the necessity of written consent from employees. They discuss recent economic updates, including a potential port strike affecting consumer prices and the cost of goods. Furthermore, they touch upon current events related to employment, like Amazon's back-to-office mandates and Citibank's security measures. The episode highlights the critical need for both employers and employees to understand payroll laws like Texas's payday law, promoting transparency and compliance. They encourage employers to educate their teams and employees to be proactive in understanding their paychecks.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:21 Episode Overview and Texas Deductions

00:46 Quarter End Preparations

01:30 Hispanic Heritage Month and Breast Cancer Awareness

02:20 News Update: Looming Port Strike

04:55 Consumer Impact and Preparedness

08:03 Corporate Updates: Amazon, Citibank, and Tesla

11:32 Main Topic: Texas Deductions

13:54 Understanding Medical Deductions

14:12 Handling Overpayments in Payroll

14:57 Employer Deductions and Fees

15:45 Navigating Texas Employee Law

17:16 Importance of Written Consent

18:02 Employee Handbooks and Legal Advice

20:20 Balancing Employer and Employee Responsibilities

25:35 Attitude and Workplace Culture

28:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, we delve into the unique aspects of Texas payroll, focusing on the federal minimum wage of $7.25 and its implications. We discuss exceptions to this minimum wage, factors payroll professionals need to consider, and the importance of understanding state-specific laws. Additionally, we announce our new affiliation with the Work Defined Network and share some interesting payroll-related news stories. Join us as we navigate the complexities of payroll management in Texas and offer valuable advice for both employees and payroll pros.

00:00 Introduction and Texas Payroll Overview

00:41 Episode 125: Catching Up and Announcements

02:41 Joining a New Network

04:37 Texas Minimum Wage Discussion

05:42 Pay News Updates

08:26 Remote Work Debate

13:15 Sponsor Message

14:38 Texas Minimum Wage Exemptions

20:18 Understanding Minimum Wage and Negotiation

20:50 State-Specific Wage Exceptions

21:09 Employee Rights and Minimum Wage

23:22 Challenges of Living on Minimum Wage

28:26 Political Considerations When Moving to Texas

34:45 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes

Links/References

https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/08/07/texas-man-sent-prison-defrauding-over-1m-covid-19-relief-funds

https://thedailytexan.com/2024/09/17/texas-state-employees-union-workers-rally-for-higher-wages-following-return-to-office-mandate/

In this episode, we delve into the unique aspects of Texas payroll, focusing on the federal minimum wage of $7.25 and its implications. We discuss exceptions to this minimum wage, factors payroll professionals need to consider, and the importance of understanding state-specific laws. Additionally, we announce our new affiliation with the Work Defined Network and share some interesting payroll-related news stories. Join us as we navigate the complexities of payroll management in Texas and offer valuable advice for both employees and payroll pros.

00:00 Introduction and Texas Payroll Overview

00:41 Episode 125: Catching Up and Announcements

02:41 Joining a New Network

04:37 Texas Minimum Wage Discussion

05:42 Pay News Updates

08:26 Remote Work Debate

13:15 Sponsor Message

14:38 Texas Minimum Wage Exemptions

20:18 Understanding Minimum Wage and Negotiation

20:50 State-Specific Wage Exceptions

21:09 Employee Rights and Minimum Wage

23:22 Challenges of Living on Minimum Wage

28:26 Political Considerations When Moving to Texas

34:45 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes

Links/References

https://www.dhs.gov/hsi/news/2024/08/07/texas-man-sent-prison-defrauding-over-1m-covid-19-relief-funds

https://thedailytexan.com/2024/09/17/texas-state-employees-union-workers-rally-for-higher-wages-following-return-to-office-mandate/

Upcoming Episodes on Employee Empowerment, Texas & Payroll Fundamentals

We're taking a short break, but stay tuned for upcoming episodes focusing on Texas minimum wage, and wage laws. We'll continue our state-specific series aimed at empowering employees with crucial information about their rights. Past episodes include California and New York, with Texas coming up next. Also, check out our new payroll fundamentals course for beginners. Special shout out to Gerard Hall for inspiring our mission and to Brianna for her birthday and contributions to our social media efforts. Big announcements are on the way. Stay tuned!

00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Episodes

00:27 State-Specific Employee Information

01:12 Empowering Employees with Knowledge

02:21 New Series: Payroll Fundamentals

02:58 Exciting Announcements and Personal Shoutouts

03:38 Conclusion and Farewell

Intro - 5 Min

Current Events

Pay News Updates - 10 Min

Walt (5 min)

https://payroll.org/news-resources/news/news-detail/2024/08/27/get-ready!-changes-to-employer-offered-ewa-programs-are-right-around-the-corner

https://share.newsbreak.com/8hhfek17?s=i16

Brian (5 min) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kamala-harris-donald-trump-tax-plan-impact-on-your-paycheck/

Tax Proposals from Candidates:Former President Donald Trump aims to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, eliminate taxes on tips and Social Security income, and lower the corporate tax rate.Vice President Kamala Harris proposes increasing tax benefits for families and raising the corporate tax rate to offset the costs of expanded tax credits.Trumps helps all but mostly the top 1% and .01%Harris benefit lower income more and hurt the 1% and .01% Both plans add the the US debt regardless of their offset planning   Experts say that both plans will lead to higher interest rates and that neither plan addresses the overall economic situation. 

https://www.timetrakgo.com/signmeup?utm_source=SMB24&utm_medium=IAP&utm_id=SBM24

MAIN TOPICS - 10 min

BRIAN NOTES (5 min) 1. NYC Retail Employers with 20+ Employees:If you own a retail business in New York City with 20 or more employees, here are the key rules you need to follow:No On-Call Scheduling: You can't require employees to be available to work without a set schedule. This means no on-call shifts where employees might have to come in at short notice.72-Hour Notice: You must give employees at least 72 hours' notice if you need to cancel their shift, add hours, or make any changes. If a change is made, the employee must consent in writing.Posting Schedules: A hard copy of the work schedule must be posted at least 72 hours in advance at the workplace. Employees are allowed to request a copy of their schedule and can refuse to work shifts that aren't included in the posted schedule​(

SGR Law

Seyfarth

FordHarrison

2. NYC Fast Food Chains with 30+ Locations:If you manage a fast food restaurant that's part of a chain with 30 or more locations across the U.S., here are the scheduling rules you need to be aware of:Good Faith Schedule Estimate: When hiring a new employee, you must provide a good faith estimate of their weekly work hours and give them their work schedule at least 14 days in advance.Schedule Change Premiums: If you make any changes to the schedule with less than 14 days' notice, you have to pay the employee extra. The amount ranges from $10 to $75, depending on how last-minute the change is and what type of change it is (e.g., adding or subtracting hours, changing, or canceling shifts).Clopening Ban: Employees cannot be required to work back-to-back closing and opening shifts (less than 11 hours apart) unless they consent in writing. If they do work such shifts, you must pay them an additional $100.Offering Additional Hours: If you have open shifts, you need to offer them to current employees before hiring new workers​(

Law Offices Of David S. Rich, LLC

Seyfarth

FordHarrisonWelcome to NYC.gov | City of New York

In this insightful episode of 'It's About Payroll,' Keenan Hart shares his journey of addressing the mental health provider shortage in Nevada by leveraging technology to bridge gaps in access to care. Joined by hosts Brian and Walter, Keenan discusses the importance of mental wellness, personal development, and the challenges of entrepreneurship. They explore statistics on mental health, the impact of positive communication through his platform 'Francis,' and how businesses can foster happier, healthier employees. Tune in for a unique perspective on leadership, resilience, and creating a supportive work culture.

00:00 Addressing the Mental Health Provider Shortage

00:15 Casual Banter and Introductions

01:08 Economic Updates and Mental Health Statistics

02:43 Employee Happiness and Financial Advice

05:58 Message from our sponsor: Time TrakGO

07:03 Introducing Keenan Hart

09:12 Keenan's Entrepreneurial Journey

14:01 The Power of Encouragement and Positivity

19:52 Leadership and Building a Strong Team

24:48 Mindset and Overcoming Failures

33:36 Embracing Failure and Learning from Mistakes

33:49 Radical Honesty and Healthy Conflict

35:17 Personal Stories of Overcoming Adversity

36:52 The Power of Fate and Higher Powers

38:17 Mental Health Challenges in Entrepreneurship

43:31 Strategies for Mental Wellness and Leadership

48:24 Living at 100: Accountability and Trust

53:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

53:07 This or That: Fun and Lighthearted Questions

01:03:23 Closing Remarks and Farewell

Payroll Insights with Russell Webb: Global Payroll, Career Paths, and Industry Trends

In this episode of our payroll podcast, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan II sit down with Russell Webb, Payroll Business Development Manager at Phase Three Consulting. Webb shares his fascinating career journey from military service to payroll management and discusses various aspects of the payroll industry, including the differences between global and in-house payroll, the role of AI in payroll, and the ongoing debate about whether payroll belongs under finance or HR. The conversation also touches on the importance of being proactive in understanding company policies, the nuances of payroll systems across different regions, and practical advice for professionals navigating their careers. Webb's insights provide valuable knowledge for both payroll newcomers and seasoned veterans.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:47 Casual Banter and Reflections

03:52 Payroll News and Updates

11:46 Interview with Russell Webb

24:37 Global Payroll Insights

26:37 Challenges of Global Payroll in France

27:24 Tailoring Payroll Solutions to Company Needs

28:22 Introduction to Phase Three Consulting

29:17 Managed Service Payroll at Phase Three

32:13 The Case for Outsourcing Payroll

35:54 Addressing Concerns About Outsourcing

40:17 The Role of AI in Payroll

44:41 Fun and Games: Getting to Know Russell

50:26 Final Thoughts and Farewell

 Intro
Current Events and Pay News Updates

Walt https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/best-international-payroll-services/

Brian https://lailluminator.com/2024/08/16/hundreds-of-lsu-employees-to-lose-state-benefits-after-transfer-to-staffing-agency/
Free Learning Call Out-  Ask questions when the dynamics change at your company. This is a common topic at companies because it can save the company money.

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Russell Webb
Joining us today is our guest Russell Webb who is a dynamic force in the payroll industry. Russell is the Payroll Business Development Manager at Phase 3, specializing in Managed Service Payroll. With 8 years of experience across the global payroll landscape, Russell has held pivotal roles from managing payroll teams to spearheading global account management and sales, ensuring clients get tailored solutions for their Payroll, Finance, and HR needs.
Before venturing into payroll, Russell led IT teams at DHL and served with distinction for 8 years in the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment as a machine gun commander and support weapon specialist.
When he’s not driving business forward, Russell is a dedicated father of two toddlers, a passionate football fan, and a true Star Trek aficionado. Get ready for an engaging conversation.  Welcome Russell Webb to the show!

Questions for Russell Webb

What is your payroll origin story? How has your prior IT experience helped in your payroll career? Payroll – Is it a finance or a HR role?Global payroll – is it really global? Would you hand over your payroll to AI?  

This or That
Capt. Picard and Capt. Kirk
Beer or Scotch
Excel or Google Sheets
Chelsea and Manchester United
Remote or Hybrid
Fish and Chips or Bangers and Mash

Safe Talk - Would you recommend processing Global payroll in house? Why or why not?