National Payroll Week UK: Celebrating the Unsung Heroes of Business

Payroll is the lifeblood of every organisation. It ensures people get paid on time, every time. However, like many functions of the modern workplace, it's often taken for granted. Speedy and accurate payroll is the expected standard, with teams usually only taking the spotlight if something goes wrong.

That’s why initiatives like National Payroll Week matter, and allow us to recognise, celebrate, and elevate the payroll profession.

What is National Payroll Week?

Established by the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) in 1998, National Payroll Week runs annually in early September. In 2025, it runs from the 1st of September to the 5th. It “serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the payroll process, financial literacy, and the overall importance of fair compensation within the workforce”, according to the CIPP.

The initiative aims to celebrate payroll professionals and their dedication to the industry. An industry that contributed £473.8 billion to the government in the 2024/25 tax year. But beyond the scale of payroll’s economic impact, payroll accuracy is integral for trust, financial well-being, and employee satisfaction.

It’s celebrated both officially by the CIPP and informally by companies across the country:

How to celebrate your payroll team

Take the opportunity to highlight the great work and dedication of your payroll team. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. An in-person get-together. Host a casual hangout for your team, giving them a few options to choose from (coffee break vs lunch out, for example). This is ideal for hybrid or onsite teams, as it encourages team bonding whilst also recognising their contributions.

2. A digital get-together. Organised online ‘fun’ can sometimes be anything but! However, remote payroll employees also deserve to be celebrated and feel connected. Here are 40+ ideas for virtual team-building activities to bring people together for a virtual hangout.

3. Company-wide shoutouts. If your organisation uses things like ‘shout out’ channels in Slack, or reserves time in the monthly all-hands to celebrate small wins, use these spaces to highlight the payroll team. Share examples of when they’ve gone above and beyond, or give the rest of the company a ‘behind the scenes’ look at what really goes on in payroll.

4. Attend events and workshops. Check out the webinars on offer through the CIPP, and encourage team members to join. Or, see what’s coming up at Deel. We host weekly webinars and in-person events all over the world.

5. Offer training. If you have a bit of budget to work with, consider offering training and education opportunities. This shows that your organisation is serious about investing in the growth of your payroll professionals. (If you don’t have a budget, our course covering International Payroll Fundamentals is free! Ideal for teams who are preparing for international expansion.)

6. Get involved on social media. Use the hashtags #NPW25 and #ChoosePayroll. Try sharing your experience as a payroll professional, debunking some common myths, sharing wins, or posting shoutouts for your colleagues.

“Shining a light on the profession that keeps the workforce moving.” - Victoria O’Callaghan, Director of Global Payroll Presales Delivery at Deel

With more than twenty years of experience leading payroll teams across multiple industries, there’s no one better to shed some light on the importance of National Payroll Week than Victoria O’Callaghan. Here, she shares some thoughts on the importance of recognising the unsung heroes of the working world, and some insights on the future of the profession.

Why is National Payroll Week important?

“National Payroll Week is a chance to shine a light on the profession that keeps the workforce moving. Payroll isn’t just about numbers on a payslip; it’s about trust, financial well-being, and making sure every employee feels valued. Recognising payroll during this week elevates its importance across organisations and reminds business leaders that payroll is a strategic function, not just an administrative task.”

What makes payroll professionals “unsung heroes”?

“Payroll is often only noticed when something goes wrong, yet it’s one of the most business-critical functions. Payroll professionals carry the responsibility of ensuring people are paid correctly and on time, no matter how complex the process or how many challenges arise behind the scenes. They keep businesses running smoothly without fanfare and that makes them heroes in my book.”

Besides the obvious (timely and accurate payroll), what do payroll professionals bring to the table?

“Payroll professionals bring deep expertise in compliance, risk management, and process optimisation. They bridge Finance, HR, and Operations, making them key players in business transformation. They also shape the employee experience and financial well-being — payroll is often the first and most tangible way people engage with their employer. These contributions are strategic and too often overlooked.”

What do you think the future has in store for payroll?

“The future of payroll is moving towards immediacy. Employees are beginning to expect pay that’s flexible and accessible in real time, being paid as they earn, rather than waiting until month-end. This shift towards on-demand pay will transform payroll from a routine cycle into a continuous financial service.

For organisations, it means payroll teams will play an even bigger role in shaping employee wellbeing and retention, while ensuring compliance keeps pace with innovation. Payroll’s future isn’t just about paying people correctly; it’s about paying people when they need it most.”

Streamline global payroll with Deel

Payroll is the foundation of trust, well-being, and employee satisfaction. Whether you’re managing local teams or scaling globally, Deel helps you run payroll seamlessly across 100+ countries.

Give your payroll teams the tools they need to drop the chaos and say goodbye to fragmented tool stacks. Book your 30-minute Deel demo today.