[APAC] Talent shortages prompt 80% of organisations to rethink payroll

New research has found that organisations in APAC are accelerating the use of AI and workforce reskilling to sustain payroll operations as talent shortages intensify, Economic Times reports.

ADP’s The Potential of Payroll in 2026 details how payroll functions are becoming strategic workforce enablers as they evolve to cope with leaner teams, regulatory complexity, and rising employee expectations around pay accuracy and transparency.

Skills shortages reportedly remain a significant workforce challenge, with 80 per cent of organisations in APAC reviewing how to run payroll with fewer people, compared with a global average of 72 per cent. 

According to ADP, nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of payroll leaders report that staff shortages have already disrupted operations, prompting organisations to prioritise upskilling and reskilling alongside technology adoption. 

Almost half (49 per cent) are exploring AI to support lean operating models, while 33 per cent identify AI as a key driver of payroll transformation over the next two to three years. Current AI use cases include fraud detection, faster reporting, and automated data entry.

Jessica Zhang - Senior Vice President of APAC at ADP - reportedly said that payroll teams face increasing expectations to deliver accuracy and resilience despite constrained resources, driving organisations to redefine payroll roles and invest in new capabilities. 

Ms Zhang added that payroll will play a more strategic role in business continuity and employee trust, requiring integrated systems supported by skilled teams across markets.

Source: Economic Times

(Link via original reporting)

New research has found that organisations in APAC are accelerating the use of AI and workforce reskilling to sustain payroll operations as talent shortages intensify, Economic Times reports.

ADP’s The Potential of Payroll in 2026 details how payroll functions are becoming strategic workforce enablers as they evolve to cope with leaner teams, regulatory complexity, and rising employee expectations around pay accuracy and transparency.

Skills shortages reportedly remain a significant workforce challenge, with 80 per cent of organisations in APAC reviewing how to run payroll with fewer people, compared with a global average of 72 per cent. 

According to ADP, nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of payroll leaders report that staff shortages have already disrupted operations, prompting organisations to prioritise upskilling and reskilling alongside technology adoption. 

Almost half (49 per cent) are exploring AI to support lean operating models, while 33 per cent identify AI as a key driver of payroll transformation over the next two to three years. Current AI use cases include fraud detection, faster reporting, and automated data entry.

Jessica Zhang - Senior Vice President of APAC at ADP - reportedly said that payroll teams face increasing expectations to deliver accuracy and resilience despite constrained resources, driving organisations to redefine payroll roles and invest in new capabilities. 

Ms Zhang added that payroll will play a more strategic role in business continuity and employee trust, requiring integrated systems supported by skilled teams across markets.

Source: Economic Times

(Link via original reporting)