The Payroll Calendar Wizard is used to create or edit payroll calendars that define pay periods, pay dates, and submission schedules. The wizard provides a guided, step-by-step experience to ensure each payroll company has a consistent and accurate pay cycle.
Before Creating a Payroll Calendar
Before creating a payroll calendar, confirm the following:
The correct payroll company is set up and active.
The intended pay frequency and pay dates meet company policy and local labor requirements.
Banking and submission timelines support the selected pay dates.
Required permissions are assigned.
Reviewing these items helps prevent pay date errors and rework after publishing.
Security
Users must have the following permission to create a Payroll Calendar:
Payroll → Workforce Payroll → Payroll Calendar → Edit Payroll Calendar
These permissions can be added to custom user roles or individual users. The Permission Access report can be used to determine which user roles or users already have these permissions assigned. For more information, see User Setup and Security.
Create a Payroll Calendar
Follow these steps to create a new Payroll Calendar:
Click steps to expand for additional information and images.
1) Navigate to the Payroll Calendar page and select Create Calendar.
2) Choose a payroll company from the dropdown.
3) Select a Pay Frequency.
Available pay frequencies:
Weekly (52 pay periods per year): Employees are paid once each week. This option supports frequent pay cycles and shorter pay periods.
Biweekly (26 pay periods per year): Employees are paid every two weeks. Pay dates shift throughout the year based on the calendar.
Semi-monthly (24 pay periods per year): Employees are paid twice per month on fixed dates. Pay periods vary in length depending on the month.
Monthly (12 pay periods per year): Employees are paid once per month for all work completed during the month.
4) Enter the Start Date of the first pay period.
Enter the Start Date of the first pay period.
The system automatically sets the End Date based on the selected pay frequency.
Example: A weekly schedule starting Monday ends the following Sunday.
5) Enter a First Pay Date.
The first pay date is the date employees receive payment for the first pay period.
This field is editable for weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, and monthly schedules.
For semi-monthly schedules, the first pay date sets the offset for all future semi-monthly pay dates.
Semi-monthly offset behavior The first pay date establishes the recurring semi-monthly pattern for all future months. The system calculates the second pay date by applying a fixed offset from the first date and repeats that offset consistently each month.
For example, a first pay date of the 1st results in pay dates on the 1st and 15th. A first pay date of the 14th results in pay dates on the 14th and the last day of the month. This offset remains consistent as the schedule continues.
All pay dates must be at least two business days after the pay period end date unless a one-business-day submission schedule is approved.
In some cases, a pay date may occur before the pay period end date. This setup is allowed after acknowledging the warning during configuration.
Early pay dates An early pay date allows employees to receive payment before all worked days in the pay period have ended. This setup may require estimates or adjustments in later payroll processing. Use this option only when required by business operations or special payroll arrangements.
6) Set Weekend and Holiday Pay Rules.
If a pay date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, choose whether to pay employees Before or After the date.
Check local labor laws before selecting this option. For more details, see Bank Holidays.
7) Click Next.
8) Review and Edit Pay Dates.
Review all generated pay dates.
To make changes, select Edit Pay Dates. Only future pay dates can be edited.
9) Click Next.
10) Copy calendar to payroll companies. (Optional)
Use this option to apply the same payroll calendar to one or more additional payroll companies. This helps maintain consistent pay schedules across companies and reduces manual setup. Copied calendars can be edited later if company-specific changes are required. 
11) Click Publish.
FAQ
What happens after I publish a payroll calendar?
Publishing activates the payroll calendar for the selected payroll company. The calendar becomes available for payroll processing and reporting. Past and current pay periods cannot be changed after publishing.
Can I change the pay frequency after the calendar is published?
No. Pay frequency cannot be changed after publishing. To use a different pay frequency, create a new payroll calendar.
Why must pay dates be at least two business days after the pay period end date?
This timing supports payroll submission and processing requirements. A shorter timeline is allowed only if a one-business-day submission schedule has been approved.
Can a pay date occur before the pay period ends?
Yes. Early pay dates are allowed after acknowledging a warning during setup. This approach may require estimates or payroll adjustments later and should be used only when required by business operations.