Question 1

How Do I Set Up and Use Web Sync Across My Devices?

Accepted Answer

Lightning Payroll includes a web synchronisation feature that keeps your data in step between your Lightning Payroll installations and the web application. (Before setting this up, we strongly recommend making sure every device holds the same, up-to-date data by using the Online Backups feature, or Create Backup / Restore Backup under the Tools menu.) To turn web synchronisation on, go to Settings >> Other Settings in the desktop program. You will see three options: After ticking any one of these options you are asked to log in to enable the feature. Use the same login details you use for the website's Client Login. Note: this is separate from your application password, your subscription ID and your Online Backups password. If you have trouble with your password on this screen, use the Forgotten Password? option below the fields. After logging in, you are emailed a 6-digit two-factor authentication (2FA) code to enter on the next screen. If your account is secured with Google Authenticator, use the 2FA code generated by that app instead. Once the code is accepted, web sync is active. Sync Data Up To Web App? When enabled, this detects changes you make inside Lightning Payroll and uploads them to the web application. Sync Data Down To Desktop App? This detects more recent changes made online and downloads and restores them into your Lightning Payroll desktop application. With these first two options, checks run automatically every 5 minutes, and a refresh button appears at the bottom-right of the program. Use that button to check manually in between the 5-minute intervals. Manually Control Web Sync Uploads/Downloads? This option does not synchronise automatically, leaving you in control of when backups are created and restored. Instead of the refresh button used by the previous two options, separate upload and download buttons appear at the bottom-right. The diagrams below show how the feature works between the web application and one installation, and between the web application and two installations:

Question 2

Why Can't I Restore a Backup File?

Accepted Answer

A backup (.LPB) file is normally restored under the Tools menu of Lightning Payroll. If the Restore Backup option is greyed out or unavailable, you are either on a trial licence or unlicensed (your licence may have expired). Creating and restoring backups is only available to users on a paid subscription. If you only need to restore a backup to view old data, you can open Lightning Payroll in a read-only (unlicensed) mode. You cannot make any changes in this mode, but you can restore backups. To switch from trial mode to unlicensed (read-only) mode, delete the trial licence file manually while the application is closed. This file is called license.txt and lives in the following location depending on your operating system: Windows: C:\Users\<your user folder>\AppData\Roaming\Lightning Payroll\license.txt Mac: ~/.LightningPayroll/license.txt An easy way to reach the data folder is to click the ? in the lower-left corner of the start-up screen when you open the program, then choose Open Data Folder. Right-click the license.txt file and delete it. Note: the picture below is for a Windows user.

Question 3

How Can I Backup My Lightning Payroll Data?

Accepted Answer

Because Lightning Payroll is a desktop application, your data is stored on your own computer, not with us. We recommend you become familiar with the program's backup features. Online Backups are a great way to keep a secure, off-site copy of your payroll information using the cloud storage we provide for customers. Only you can access this data. It is also an easy way to pass data between two Lightning Payroll systems that share the same subscription. To create a backup file on your computer, click Tools >> Create Backup. This saves a complete copy of your payroll data (for all companies) into a single compressed file with an .LPB extension. You can restore these files later via Tools >> Restore Backup. Lightning Payroll can also make regular automatic backups to a folder you choose. Turn this on under Settings >> Backups >> Backup your data automatically. We recommend you regularly keep a backup on an external storage device, or online, in case your local hard drive fails.

Question 4

How Can I Set Up Online Backups?

Accepted Answer

Lightning Payroll has a built-in Online Backups feature which provides a way for you to easily save your important payroll data to the cloud. These online backups are encrypted and saved securely on our servers. In emergency situations this feature can help you to retrieve your data through your subscription. Note: You will need a reliable internet connection, an active Lightning Payroll subscription and to have registered for this service for the feature to work correctly. See below for more information. This additional online backup service can be misused and needs to be used responsibly. We offer this as a handy extra feature and cannot guarantee the data will always be available, nor accept liability for user error or loss of your data. For this reason it is always a good idea to manage your backups yourself in addition to using this online backup feature. Please see this FAQ for more info. To setup automatic online backups go to Tools >> Online Backups. If you haven't yet set up online backups you will be asked to Register and create a password before you can continue. Your password must be at least 10 characters long and include an uppercase letter, lowercase letter, a number, and a special character for security reasons this password is not the same as your website and/or password application. If you have already registered and need to connect another computer to your existing online backups you will be asked to Login and enter your password. If you have have forgotten your password, the Login screen contains a Forgotten Password area which can email through a password reset code to your nominated email address. Once you're logged in to your Online Backups you can send a backup to our secure server to save the data currently in your program, or you can restore a previously created backup file to continue working on it. The Computer Name field is where you can add a description of the computer you're working on, or a description of the backup file you're creating. The image below shows how backups might be shared between an office computer and home computer which share the same Lightning Payroll subscription. Only click Restore Backup if you wish to 'wind back the clock' and restore Lightning Payroll's data to an earlier point in time. We recommend you tick the box to Automatically Backup. Also, do not click Logout unless you wish to disable the online backups. Just click Close. Note: There is a FIVE backup limit for each active Lightning Payroll subscription. Once the limit has been reached, any new backups will automatically overwrite the oldest existing backup.

Question 5

How Can Restoring A Backup Delete Pay Data?

Accepted Answer

By default, Lightning Payroll opens up to look like it did when it was last closed down. If you share data between two computers (as each subscription allows) you will need to be responsible with managing your data's continuity. If your colleague does some work and you fail to restore their data before continuing, it may get lost. Please see below for a demonstration of how this problem may arise.

Question 6

What Are the System Requirements and/or Limitations of Lightning Payroll?

Accepted Answer

Compatible Operating Systems Lightning Payroll desktop application is compatible with Windows 8.1 (and above) and Mac OSX 10.14 (Mojave) and above. We only support these operating systems for desktop; the software is not designed for, or tested on, server-based operating systems. Lightning Payroll web version is available on any computer/device with internet access, and the mobile app can be used on any smart phone where the app is available for download in the phone's app store. System Minimum system requirements for using Lightning Payroll are: Intel Core i5 (sixth generation or newer) or equivalent 8 GB RAM 500 GB internal storage drive Screen/Monitor Size Lightning Payroll is not recommended for screen sizes below 15 inches as some screens will appear squished or very hard to see. For ultra hi-res and 4k monitors you may need to configure these for clarity in the program. Pay Run Schedules Lightning Payroll accomodates the following pay schedules in line with the ATO's tax tables: Weekly Fortnightly Monthly You can use any combination of these three pay schedules on any of the business entities within the software, however only one schedule of a type per company is possible (i.e. you cannot run two simultaneous weekly schedules ending on different days of the week). Approved Income Streams Lightning Payroll is certified by the ATO for the following Single Touch Payroll (Phase 2) income streams: Salary and Wages Working Holiday Maker Closely Held Payee Voluntary Agreement Withholding Payer Number Lightning Payroll does not support WPNs for reporting parties. All businesses/companies require an ABN to pay their staff within Lightning Payroll. Support Team Boundaries Lightning Payroll support is free to our subscribers, however certain topics are outside of what our team may assist you with: Teamviewer/Remote access - Our support team do not currently 'remote in' to customer's systems. This is not usually necessary when helping solve issues, as backup sharing with support is built-in to the software. Email configuration and troubleshooting - Lightning Payroll includes a basic SMTP server settings search feature under the Company >> Email tab which finds common email settings. This uses a third-party API to obtain settings. Beyond this you'd have to contact your email account provider for gaining or adjusting those settings, as our support team are unable to provide settings for email providers. Note that you now have the option of having Lightning Payroll send emails from the program for you instead. ATO myID app - Our support team are unable to provide support for the ATO's myID app, which is a requirement to be able to download and manage your machine credentials for sending Single Touch Payroll. For ATO technical support please contact their Technical Helpdesk on 1300 287 539 / Option 2 / Option 1.

Question 7

What Options Are Available When Emailing Employees?

Accepted Answer

Lightning Payroll lets you set extra preferences for emailing each employee. To find these options, go to Employees >> Details >> Email Options. Here you have the following options: Alternate email &mdash; enter another address here to send this employee's payslips to. Email Payslips? &mdash; choose whether this employee receives their payslips by email. Email payment summaries &mdash; email PAYG payment summaries (group certificates) directly to the employee at the end of the financial year. Note that PAYG payment summaries are generally no longer needed: end-of-financial-year finalisation is done through Single Touch Payroll, and the information goes directly to your employees' myGov accounts.

Question 8

What are the Different Employment States?

Accepted Answer

Employees can have different states in Lightning Payroll: Active, Inactive, Terminated and Deleted. Each is explained below. Active &mdash; an active employee is currently working and being included in pays. This is the default state when you add an employee, indicated by the Active pay recipient? box being ticked under Employees >> Pay Settings >> Pay Rates. Active employees count towards the total employee number for your licence. Inactive &mdash; an inactive employee has not been terminated but is not currently working or being included in pays. This is indicated by the Active pay recipient? box being unticked under Employees >> Pay Settings >> Pay Rates. Inactive employees still count towards the total employee number for your licence. Terminated &mdash; a terminated employee has been officially terminated in the program. This is done during the employee's final pay in the Edit Pay screen by clicking Terminate Employee. Terminated employees appear in red in the Employees list once you tick Show Terminated Employees? above the list. Terminated employees do not count towards the total employee number for your licence. See here for more on terminating employees. Deleted &mdash; a deleted employee has been completely removed from Lightning Payroll. If you delete an employee using the Actions button in the Employees section, all of their past and present data is removed, which is almost never needed. Deleted employees do not count towards the total employee number for your licence. Note: deleting employees is not recommended. If an employee has left your company, terminate them through the Pays screen instead.

Question 9

Can I Install The Desktop Version of the Program On Multiple Computers?

Accepted Answer

A Lightning Payroll subscription lets you install the desktop version on two separate computers. The two installations do not talk to each other automatically and cannot be used at the same time, because the desktop application stores its data locally on each machine rather than online. If you need to work across more devices, the web/online version of Lightning Payroll and the mobile app for Android and iOS are also available to subscribers. These are not limited to any number of devices and do not require backing up, because the data is live and online.

Question 10

How Can I Set Birthday Reminders?

Accepted Answer

To create birthday reminders for your active employees, go to Settings >> Reminders. Tick the Birthday Reminders On? box at the bottom-left of the screen, choose how many days' notice you want, then click Create Birthday Reminders For Active Employees. This adds a birthday reminder for every active employee. You can edit an individual reminder by clicking the pencil icon and saving your changes, or remove a single employee's reminder by clicking the red X on their row. To clear all birthday reminders at once, untick Birthday Reminders On? at the bottom-left of the screen. When you open Lightning Payroll on or around the date each reminder is set for, you are notified with a pop-up.

Question 11

How Can I Update to the Latest Version of Lightning Payroll?

Accepted Answer

Lightning Payroll is a desktop program for Windows and Mac OSX, plus a web/online application and a mobile app. We update the software regularly with new features, performance improvements and bug fixes, usually every four or so weeks. Updates install themselves via an automatic download. When a desktop update is available, you are prompted to update the moment you open the program. You can also check at any time by clicking Check for Updates Now? at the bottom of the program window. The web and mobile apps always keep themselves up to date automatically. (Mobile app updates depend on your app store being set to update apps automatically.) For the desktop version, reinstalling or updating the software resolves most issues should they arise. If updating from within the program fails, you can download and install the latest version directly from the links below. Your data is safe and is not affected by reinstallation. Please make sure Lightning Payroll and any error messages are completely closed before reinstalling. Download for Windows 64-bit (Windows 8.1 and above, with the latest Windows updates installed) Download for Windows 32-bit (Windows 8.1 and above, with the latest Windows updates installed) Download for Mac OSX (version 10.14 Mojave and above) To turn updates on or off, or to change other update preferences, go to Settings >> Updates. Legacy Versions (Windows 7, Mac OSX 10.12 / 10.13) Legacy versions no longer receive any updates, including tax tables and super rate changes, so they must not be used to run pays. Please move to a current version of Lightning Payroll on a supported operating system, or switch to Lightning Payroll online. Newer versions of Lightning Payroll were rebuilt on the latest base software and libraries to stay secure and perform well on current Windows and Mac releases. As part of that work we had to drop support for Windows 7, Mac OSX 10.12 and Mac OSX 10.13. If you still need to open older data on one of those systems, the final legacy installers remain available below for reference only: Legacy installer for Windows 7 Legacy installer for Mac OSX 10.12 & 10.13

Question 12

Can You Check Over My Whole Lightning Payroll Setup?

Accepted Answer

Our support team is happy to help with normal day-to-day Lightning Payroll questions, troubleshooting, and product guidance. A full payroll setup review, however, is outside standard free support. If you want a deeper walkthrough of your file, we offer paid training and consulting sessions. These are useful for: Reviewing your payroll settings in detail. Checking employee setup, leave configuration, and reporting workflows. Explaining features that are relevant to your business. Helping you understand where your local payroll rules need to be applied in the software. Book a Session What free support includes Q and A: help using the software. Troubleshooting: help with common errors and workflow issues. Product guidance: help finding the correct screen, report, or feature. Our team can usually confirm how the software behaves, the current version, and where to enter settings, but employers remain responsible for the correctness of pay rates, entitlements, classifications, and compliance choices in their own payroll. To check for common setup issues yourself, use the built-in Data Validation tool under Tools >> Data Validation. For broader guidance, you can also browse the support page and our support policy.

Question 13

How Do I Enable Dark Mode in Lightning Payroll?

Accepted Answer

Dark mode is available across all versions of Lightning Payroll, including the desktop, web, and mobile apps, as well as our website. To enable dark mode in the app: Go to Settings >> Display/Time Settings. Tick the box labelled Dark Mode?. Important notes: On the Windows and macOS desktop apps, restart the application after changing this setting so the change takes full effect. On macOS, we recommend matching Lightning Payroll's dark mode setting to your system theme for a consistent look. The app does not automatically detect or follow the system theme. Our website also supports dark mode. Look for the sun/moon icon in the upper right corner at www.lightningpayroll.com.au to switch between light and dark themes.

Question 14

What's Involved in a Training/Consultancy Session?

Accepted Answer

We offer one-on-one remote training sessions to help you make the best use of your time while processing payroll and to prevent future issues. Click the button below to book a one-hour training, setup, or check-up session. Book Training What's Included? Below is an idea of what we can help you with during a training or consultancy session. Lightning Payroll is available as a desktop app, an online/web version, and a mobile app (iOS/Android), and your session is tailored to your preferred option(s). 1. General Setup Confirm company ABN, address, banking, and contact details. Set up pay schedule(s) with your preferred dates. Review employee profiles: TFN, bank account, super fund, and tax settings. Configure pay categories, allowances, and deductions. 2. Time & Attendance Set up the Employee Portal: payslips, timesheets/timeclock, leave requests, and banking details. Use the portal timeclock or our mobile timeclock app (iOS/Android). Import clock data from BundyPlus. Approve timesheets/timeclock shifts and import them into pay runs. 3. Pay Runs & Processing Walk through processing a standard pay run. Handle bonuses, terminations, leave taken, and corrections. Adjust and re-report past pays. 4. Leave & Entitlements Annual, sick, long service, and custom leave setup (e.g. RDOs). Track balances and automate accruals. Process leave taken in pays. 5. Superannuation Set up super funds and attach them to employee profiles with their member number. Lodge super via SuperStream (using Payday Super or Super Fund Deposits). Set up salary sacrifice as super. Review contribution history and resolve issues. 6. STP (Single Touch Payroll) Confirm whether Online Services credentials for Single Touch Payroll are set up and valid. Lodge STP and handle rejections. Use Adjust events to report changes made to past pays. EOFY finalisation process. 7. Tax & Withholding Review tax tables and TFN declarations. Apply tax variations like HECS/HELP and Working Holiday visas. Adjust PAYG manually if needed. 8. Payslips & Reporting Customise payslips (logo, notes, email settings). Run reports: PAYG, super, leave, and journals. Create custom employee and pay reports if needed. 9. Security, Backups & Access Set up automatic backups (desktop and online backup options are available). Review access permissions. Set up users if needed. Follow secure backup routines. 10. EOFY / BAS / Reconciliation Pre-EOFY cleanup and lodgements. Export BAS-ready reports. Use STP Adjust events to update BAS pre-fill. Reconcile super and PAYG. Process EOFY finalisation. 11. Tips, Tricks & Support Avoid common pitfalls that cost you time. Use batch tools and keyboard shortcuts. Access help and FAQs. Why Book a Yearly Training or Check-Over Session? Sharpen your skills and reduce payroll errors, saving you time. Stay on top of compliance with the ATO and Fair Work. Keep up with new Lightning Payroll features so you can take full advantage of them. Receive personalised advice and a setup review. Reduce time spent on support calls, as well as accounting costs. Gain peace of mind that your payroll setup is accurate and configured to suit your business. Get Started Book your one-hour training session with our support team using the button below. Book Training

Question 15

What Are The Differences With Setting Up Full-Time, Part-Time, and Casual Employees?

Accepted Answer

Full-time, part-time, and casual employees are all set up in Lightning Payroll from the same employee profile areas. The difference is how you choose to label them, set their standard hours, and handle leave accruals. Employment type and tenure When creating or editing an employee, go to Employees >> Pay Settings >> Pay Rates and choose the employment type and tenure that best match the worker. These fields are mainly used for labels, reporting context, and internal organisation. Standard hours and days You can also define the standard hours for a full day and the standard days for a full week. These values help when setting up leave accruals and default working patterns, especially for permanent staff. Leave accruals Leave behaviour is controlled under Employees >> Leave >> Leave Settings. Common patterns are: Full-time employees: usually accrue leave based on the pay period or default entitlement settings. Part-time employees: may accrue leave on a reduced pattern or on actual hours paid, depending on how the employer manages entitlements. Casual employees: are often set so leave does not accrue, unless the rules or agreement for that worker say otherwise. The correct setup depends on the employment agreement, payroll rules, and jurisdiction that apply to the employee. Lightning Payroll gives you the fields to configure this, but the employer is responsible for choosing the correct settings. For more detail on leave calculations, see the related FAQ on leave accruals.

Question 16

What Are The Main Differences Between The Lightning Payroll Desktop and Web/Mobile Applications?

Accepted Answer

Lightning Payroll Desktop, Web, and Mobile share the same payroll data, but they do not offer an identical toolset. Web and Mobile strengths Access your payroll from anywhere with a browser, phone, or tablet. Use the modern web interface with search, recent history, and mobile-friendly navigation. Review and manage common payroll tasks without being at the desktop machine. Desktop strengths Full local database control, backup, restore, and advanced recovery tools. More import and export utilities for desktop workflows. Extra configuration tools for local files, advanced reports, and some accounting integrations. Some compliance and reporting tools that depend on the current site mode and jurisdiction. Important note Some features are available in one interface first, or only in one interface for technical reasons. If you cannot find a tool on web or mobile, check the desktop app. If you cannot find a desktop convenience feature online, it may still require the desktop version. For the current comparison of a specific feature, contact support and we can confirm which interface is the right one to use.

Question 17

How Can I Access Database Recovery Tools And Other Advanced Data Folder Operations for Lightning Payroll Desktop?

Accepted Answer

This guide is for advanced users who need to reach the utility tools built into the Lightning Payroll desktop app. These tools help you manage your data and troubleshoot issues. Opening the Utility Options When Lightning Payroll desktop starts, a splash screen appears with the application logo. Click the small help (question mark) icon in the lower-left corner of the splash screen to open the hidden Utility Options dialog. Folder Operations From the Utility Options dialog you can open these folders: Open Data Folder: the directory containing your payroll data files. Open ATOMAS Folder: the ATO keystore folder. Open Installation Folder: the Lightning Payroll installation directory. Database Recovery Utilities If you run into database problems, these tools can help with recovery and repair: Download Database Repair Utility: attempts a repair of the current database. Download Auto Restore Utility: restores your last automatic backup made prior to today. Download Latest Backup Utility: lets you recover from a list of the most recent backups made on this computer. Caution: these tools are intended for advanced users. Incorrect use may lead to data loss, so make sure you understand each function before proceeding.

Question 18

What History Tracking Tools Are Available In Lightning Payroll?

Accepted Answer

Lightning Payroll includes several tools that help you track changes made to your data and files. The main ones are below. Change History (under the Tools menu) The Change History tool records the creation, deletion, and modification of many data types throughout the program, including when the program is opened and when an employee's settings are changed. Enter the date range you want to review, choose a category, then click Print Report. You can manually delete (flush) the change history if you wish, since it can take up a fair chunk of your database size, which sometimes affects performance. Deleting the change history does not affect your payroll data in any way. Direct Entry Saved File Report This report tracks the direct entry files made to pay wages or super. You can see when and where each file was saved, and what payment information (account details, reference numbers, and so on) was in the file. Machine Credential Keystore Information Report This report scans both the standard ATO keystore directory and the Lightning Payroll data directory for any valid machine-to-machine (M2M) credential keystore (.xml) files. It shows every credential in each file along with its metadata. Backup History Report This report lists all backups created and restored, giving you a history of database file changes. Email Sent Report This report gives detailed information about emails sent from the program and the settings that were used. It is useful for troubleshooting outgoing mail server issues and for tracking which emails (payslips, reports, rosters, and so on) were sent, when, and to whom.

Question 19

How Can I Check What Version of the Software My Computer is Running?

Accepted Answer

You can check which version of the software you're using at the bottom of the Lightning Payroll desktop program window. You can check if your version is the most current by clicking Check for updates now? at the bottom of your program. Click here to find out more on how to update your software.

Question 20

How Do I Copy or Duplicate Employees?

Accepted Answer

You can easily copy employees between companies in Lightning Payroll to save time and avoid re-entering data. This is useful when hiring a new employee who is similar to an existing one, or when an employee works across multiple businesses and needs to appear in more than one payroll entity. To copy or duplicate an employee: Open the Employees screen. Click Actions >> Copy Employee/s (or simply Copy Employee/s if using the web or mobile version). Select the employee(s) you want to copy and choose the destination company or entity. Click Copy. A success message will appear once the process is complete. When you copy an employee, Lightning Payroll will duplicate their: Pay items (such as allowances and deductions) Leave balances Pay rates Super fund details Note: Pay and super history will not be copied. If the duplicated employee is not needed, they can be deleted from the Employees screen. The new copy will have "Copy of " added to the beginning of their surname to help you easily identify the duplicate. You can edit this at any time in the employee's personal details.

Question 21

Can I Access Payroll Data via an API?

Accepted Answer

At this stage, we do not offer open API access for individual customers or third-party platforms outside of our formal reseller and integration partner arrangements. We are actively working with a number of software providers on integrations and partnerships, and we are open to exploring suitable connections where there is mutual interest. If you are using another platform, we recommend reaching out to them directly to express your interest in an integration, as this can help initiate a formal partnership discussion. In the meantime, we offer a Time and Attendance import feature within the web version, which provides a practical alternative for transferring payroll-related data. External systems can export data such as hours worked, allowances, and leave Supported formats include CSV and JSON The data can then be imported to generate pay records You can view the step-by-step guide here: How to Use the Import Time & Attendance Wizard If you are unsure what data can be transferred or how best to set this up, feel free to contact our support team with details of your requirements.

Question 22

Where Can I See a Demo of Lightning Payroll?

Accepted Answer

Here is a demonstration of how to process a pay in Lightning Payroll desktop version. Check out more on our Youtube channel.

Question 23

How Do I Suggest Features/Feedback Or Report Bugs?

Accepted Answer

We highly value the insights and feedback from our users at Lightning Payroll. If you encounter any bugs or have suggestions for features that could improve your experience with our software, we encourage you to reach out through our standard support channels. Contact Us To report a bug or suggest a feature, please contact us via: Email: support@lightningpayroll.com.au Phone: (07) 3051 5895 Our Approach to Feedback and Suggestions We appreciate every piece of feedback and every suggestion we receive. However, it's important to note that not every suggestion can be implemented. We strive to develop features that will benefit the majority of our users and align with our software's core objectives. If your suggestion is not accepted, it's not a reflection of its value but rather our current focus and resources. Similarly, not every issue reported as a bug is a malfunction in our software. In some cases, it may be a misunderstanding of how a particular feature is intended to function. We're here to clarify these functionalities and assist you in making the most out of Lightning Payroll. We look forward to hearing from you and are committed to improving your experience with Lightning Payroll.

Question 24

Does Lightning Payroll Offer A Reseller/Partner Program?

Accepted Answer

Join Our Referrer/Reseller Scheme Lightning Payroll offers a unique opportunity for businesses to benefit from promoting our leading payroll solution. By joining our Referrer/Reseller Scheme, you can enhance your service offering and enjoy the rewards of partnership with us. Why Become a Reseller? For accountants, bookkeepers, and accounting software providers, becoming a reseller is an excellent way to generate additional revenue through commissions on sales. It's not just about the financial gains; it's about offering a more comprehensive service package to your clients. By promoting each other's software, software providers can enjoy the mutual benefits of expanded product offerings. Additionally, our tailored development features are designed to meet the specific needs of our resellers, ensuring that you have the tools and capabilities to serve your clients effectively. Learn More For a detailed overview of our Referrer/Reseller Scheme, including information on how to get started, please visit our main reseller information page: Referrer/Reseller Program Information

Question 25

Can I Export My Data To Another Payroll Program?

Accepted Answer

Exporting Lightning Payroll DataLightning Payroll does not provide a direct exporter to competing payroll platforms. The product is designed as a self contained payroll system rather than a migration tool into other payroll products.What you can exportYou can still export useful data from Lightning Payroll Desktop in several ways:General Ledger exports for accounting software.Employee Report Builder exports for employee level data.Pay Report Builder exports for pay history and payroll analysis.CSV based custom reports for review, archive, or further manipulation in Excel.If your goal is to move figures into another finance system, the General Ledger and reporting tools are usually the best starting point.If you need help extracting a particular set of payroll data, contact support and describe what fields you need.

Question 26

How Can I Easily Send A Report By Email?

Accepted Answer

In the Lightning Payroll desktop version, sending a report by email is quick and simple. Follow these steps to email any report: Open a report preview in Lightning Payroll. Click on the envelope icon at the top of the report preview. Enter the recipient's email address. You can send to multiple addresses by separating them with a comma. The software will remember these addresses for future convenience. Optionally, you can add a personalised message for the email body. Troubleshooting Email Issues If you encounter errors related to email settings not being configured, you can update your preferences as follows: Go to Company screen. Select the Email tab. Tick the box for Have Lightning Payroll send emails for you, instead of using your own email provider? This setting will allow Lightning Payroll to handle emails directly, avoiding potential configuration issues with your own email provider.

Question 27

How Can I Pay For My Annual Subscription?

Accepted Answer

You can pay for your subscription ' whether monthly or annual ' via auto-renewal, over the phone with us, or through our website via Client Login >> My Account >> View/Renew/Upgrade Subscriptions. We accept Visa or Mastercard credit card payments (you can choose to save these card details ' securely stored by our partner, Till Payments ' for automatic renewal), or direct deposit bank transfer to our account. If you choose to pay via direct deposit bank transfer, please make sure to select Direct Deposit as the payment type when placing your order on our website, as outlined above.

Question 28

Will I Lose The Data I've Entered When My Trial Expires?

Accepted Answer

For the Lightning Payroll desktop application, the data you enter into your free trial will be saved on the computer you've been working on, even after your free trial expires. This means that if you decide to purchase the program after the free trial expires, you will be able to pick up where you left off and continue entering data without losing what's already been done. The trial version of the program you've been using will be unlocked and able to be used as the full version once payment has been made and your subscription ID is entered into said trial version. The same applies for the mobile and web versions of the program: the data will be saved, and you'll be able to pick up where you've left off after your subscription details have been entered.

Question 29

How Can I Purchase Lightning Payroll?

Accepted Answer

To purchase a Lightning Payroll subscription, go to the 'Buy Now' page of our website and choose a licence to suit your needs from the options available, then register an account with us and make payment.Once your payment has been confirmed, you will receive an email with a subscription ID number which needs to be entered into the program when you open it for the first time. You can go to Tools >> Licence Assistant in the program to get to the Online Licence Install screen if it doesn't appear automatically. Please note ' When using a trial version, you have not yet registered an account with Lightning Payroll.

Question 30

Where Can I View Order History and Tax Invoices for Licence Payments?

Accepted Answer

You can view your licence order history, as well as print and download .PDF copies of your tax invoice/s for licence payment via our website. You will need to login to Client Login on our website, then click on My Account, then click View Your Order History. From here you can see the list of your orders under this account, and click View on the order you'd like to see. To print or download a .pdf copy of the tax invoice for your chosen order, click on Show Tax Invoice, then select either Print This Invoice or Download A PDF Copy from the buttons at the top right-hand corner of the page.

Question 31

Can I Try Lightning Payroll?

Accepted Answer

If you would like to try Lightning Payroll, we offer a free 30 day trial. Any data entered into the program during the trial period will be saved, meaning you can continue from wherever you left off if you choose purchase a license and become a subscriber. Click the appropriate link to download your trial now. Windows Mac

Question 32

How Do Lightning Payroll Invoices Work?

Accepted Answer

Lightning Payroll issues tax invoices based on the type of subscription and payment method you choose. Here's how invoicing generally works for our services: Subscription Invoicing Annual subscriptions can be paid by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or by direct EFT bank transfer. Monthly subscriptions must be paid by credit card and will automatically renew on the expiry date, unless cancelled beforehand. Invoices are emailed to the account holder once payment has been processed. If you are on a monthly subscription, you'll receive a new invoice each month. Annual subscriptions generate an invoice at the time of purchase or renewal. If you have an auto-renewing annual subscription, an invoice will be sent to you 30 days before the expiry date. Non-Recurring Services Some one-off services like training or custom development are also invoiced individually and do not automatically renew. For a full list of our products and pricing, visit our Pricing Page. Auto-Renewals Monthly subscriptions renew automatically each month. Annual subscriptions also auto-renew unless cancelled before the expiry date. If you've cancelled your subscription and wish to renew, you'll need to purchase a new one manually through our Buy Now Page. Correcting Invoice Details If an invoice was generated with incorrect information (e.g. business name or address), the steps to update it will depend on how the payment was made: Bank Deposit: You can either update your details and create a new order, or contact us to edit the existing invoice. Manual Credit Card: Update your details before making the payment. The invoice will reflect the new details. Auto-Renewal: Please contact us. We can update the existing invoice if needed. To edit details on the invoice yourself as referred to above, go to Login >> Client Login on our website and click Edit your account information. If you have any questions about an invoice you've received, feel free to Contact Us.

Question 33

Can I Purchase Lighting Payroll For Less Than A Year?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Lightning Payroll is available as either a monthly or annual subscription. You can choose the subscription term that best suits your needs when purchasing or renewing.

Question 34

Where I Can Access Early Releases of an Upcoming Lightning Payroll Desktop Version?

Accepted Answer

Occasionally we provide users with early beta access to upcoming versions of Lightning Payroll desktop. These future releases can be downloaded from the following links: Windows Prerelease Download (64 bit) Windows Prerelease Download (32 bit) Mac Prerelease Download

Question 35

What Should I Check First On The HR Suite Dashboard Each Week?

Accepted Answer

The HR Suite Dashboard is the fastest weekly control point for compliance and onboarding activity. Use it as a triage board before you open individual modules. Best practice: review the dashboard at least once a week and again before each payroll finalisation window so document, policy and training gaps are not discovered late. Weekly triage order Open Missing Documents first and request outstanding mandatory files.Check Unacknowledged Policies and trigger reminders for any overdue acknowledgements.Review Overdue Checklists for onboarding/offboarding blockers.Check Overdue Training and Expiring Training so refresher tasks are issued early.Use export options to send task lists to managers or supervisors. What good looks like No overdue items in any card.Only short-term expiring items with reminders already configured.All new starters have active checklists and required document requests in progress.

Question 36

How Do I Upload Employee Documents Correctly The First Time?

Accepted Answer

Use Employee Files as the source of truth for contracts, licences, tickets and right-to-work evidence. Correct setup at upload time is what keeps dashboard status, reminders and requests accurate later. Step 1: Prepare the record in the document list Confirm the employee and document type are correct before upload.Use status/type filters to avoid duplicate uploads.Check whether an existing document can be updated instead of adding a second copy. Step 2: Complete all key upload fields Select the right Document Type so reminders and missing-document checks work.Set expiry dates for licences/certificates to enable expiry tracking.Set visibility: Employer Only for internal records, employee-visible for shared documents.Add clear filenames to improve search and audit reviews. Step 3: Validate the employee-side outcome After upload, check the employee portal view for visibility-sensitive files. If the employee cannot see a document you intended to share, review visibility settings first. Common mistakes to avoid Uploading under the wrong employee.Leaving expiry blank for time-limited evidence.Choosing the wrong visibility and creating unnecessary follow-up.

Question 37

How Do I Follow Up Missing Mandatory Documents?

Accepted Answer

The Missing Documents view turns compliance gaps into an action list. Use it to request exactly what is missing instead of manually checking each employee profile. Recommended workflow Sort by the highest-risk document types first (for example right-to-work or licences).Use Request for each missing item.Set internal follow-up reminders for requests still open after your policy window.Recheck this screen weekly until the row clears. Escalation pattern that works Day 0: send request.Day 3-5: first reminder to employee and manager.Day 7+: escalate based on internal compliance policy. When requests are completed, the row drops out automatically and dashboard counts update without manual list maintenance.

Question 38

How Do I Publish Policies And Track Employee Acknowledgements?

Accepted Answer

Policy management in HR Suite follows a clean lifecycle: draft, publish, and acknowledge. Keeping each stage explicit helps with auditability. Step 1: Maintain policy status from the list Create new content as Draft while wording is still in review.Use category naming consistently so employees can find related policies.Check version numbers and updated dates before publishing changes. Step 2: Finalise and publish the current version Confirm policy scope and expectations are complete.Publish only after internal approval so employees see stable wording.Use reminders for policies that require acknowledgement by a deadline. Step 3: Verify employee acknowledgement progress Employees open the published policy in the portal and acknowledge that version. Unacknowledged policies remain visible in compliance views until completed. If acknowledgement numbers are not moving Check the policy is published (not draft).Confirm employees have HR portal access permissions.Review reminder rule setup for policy acknowledgements.

Question 39

How Do I Build Effective Onboarding And Offboarding Templates?

Accepted Answer

Checklist templates are reusable process blueprints. Invest time here once, then launch consistent onboarding/offboarding checklists for every employee. Step 1: Keep template library clean Separate Onboarding and Offboarding templates clearly.Deactivate old templates instead of deleting historical process definitions.Use descriptive template names aligned with teams or role families. Step 2: Design tasks for real execution Assign ownership per task (admin, manager, employee).Include due timing relative to start/end dates.Link related documents or training items where required.Write task descriptions so completion criteria are unambiguous. Step 3: Launch from template Choose the employee, select the template and set the reference date. This creates a live checklist instance with a complete progress trail.

Question 40

How Do I Manage A Live Checklist To Completion?

Accepted Answer

The Checklist Detail page is your operational board for each active onboarding/offboarding run. Use it to drive status, notes and final sign-off. What to update during execution Move each task through Not Started, In Progress and Completed.Add notes whenever work is blocked or completed with exceptions.Use linked documents/training references to confirm dependencies were met.Review overdue items with responsible role owners each week. Sign-off controls Only sign off after every required task is complete. Sign-off marks the checklist as closed and is what converts progress tracking into a durable compliance outcome. Operational tip If a checklist repeatedly stalls on the same task, update the template task definition so future runs are easier to complete.

Question 41

How Do I Configure Training From Catalogue To Evidence?

Accepted Answer

Training compliance works best when you treat catalogue setup, assignment and records as one pipeline rather than separate tasks. Step 1: Build clean catalogue entries Define training name, category and provider clearly.Set mandatory flag where completion is compulsory.Set default validity period to automate expiry calculations. Catalogue detail is where consistency starts. Poor naming here makes assignment and reporting harder later. Step 2: Assign and monitor due dates Assign by employee and set a realistic due date.Use status to identify active, completed and lapsed assignments.Coordinate with reminder rules for pre-expiry alerts. Step 3: Save completion records Record completion and expiry data as soon as evidence is received to keep dashboard alerts accurate. Step 4: Collect employee evidence Employees can upload evidence from the portal, reducing manual back-and-forth with HR administrators.

Question 42

How Do I Configure And Process Reimbursement Claims?

Accepted Answer

The reimbursement flow is category setup first, then claim entry, review and payment outcome. Clear category structure is what keeps approvals and reporting clean. Step 1: Define categories used by employees Create categories that match your internal expense policy.Retire or deactivate outdated categories to prevent misuse.Use clear descriptions so employees choose correctly. Step 2: Enter claims with complete detail Capture amount, date, category and business purpose.Attach receipts where required by policy.Select the correct payment method for payroll or separate payment. Step 3: Review claim pipeline Use the claims list to monitor pending and approved items so reimbursements do not sit unresolved. Step 4: Final review and decision Open each claim, validate evidence, add review notes and approve/reject. This produces a clear audit trail for reimbursement decisions.

Question 43

How Do I Use Template Library And Document Studio Together?

Accepted Answer

Template Library accelerates authoring. Document Studio finalises presentation and export. Used together, they reduce policy/document drafting time significantly. Step 1: Find a high-quality starting template Search by keyword or filter by family/tag.Prefer templates matching your jurisdiction and use case.Check whether your company already adopted a similar template to avoid duplication. Step 2: Preview before adoption Review structure and wording first, then adopt only when the template is a strong base for your business context. Step 3: Adopt into your company library Adoption creates a company-owned draft so you can tailor without changing the shared source template. Step 4: Edit and refine company draft Adjust structure, wording and process detail for your business model before publishing or issuing. Step 5: Finalise in Document Studio Apply style profiles, preview output and export DOCX/PDF/HTML as needed for policy rollout or recordkeeping.

Question 44

How Do Reminder Rules And Audit Log Work Together?

Accepted Answer

Reminder rules drive proactive follow-up. The audit log provides proof of what changed, when, and by whom. You need both for reliable HR compliance operations. Step 1: Configure reminder coverage Create rules for missing documents, document expiry, policy acknowledgement, checklist overdue and training expiry.Set lead time based on risk (for example 30 days before expiry).Choose recipient mix: admin only, employee only, or both. Step 2: Tune cadence and ownership Use repeat intervals for high-risk items and keep owner responsibility clear so alerts result in action. Step 3: Validate with audit history Confirm key actions (publish, acknowledge, upload, approve) are recorded.Use audit entries during internal reviews and incident follow-up.Cross-check reminders fired before classifying an item as non-compliant.

Question 45

How Do Employees Complete HR Tasks In The Employee Portal?

Accepted Answer

Employees complete key HR actions directly from the portal: upload requested documents, acknowledge policies, and provide training evidence. Documents Employees can see requests raised by HR and upload files against each request.Shared documents are available for download when visibility allows. Policies Employees open each published policy and acknowledge the current version.Acknowledgement status feeds admin compliance dashboards. Training Assigned training appears with due dates.Evidence uploads support completion record updates. Admin follow-up tip If employees report missing tasks, check feature permissions in the employee profile and confirm HR Suite add-on access is enabled.

Question 46

What Is The Recommended First-Week HR Suite Setup Sequence?

Accepted Answer

For new HR Suite rollouts, use this sequence to avoid partial configuration and reduce rework. Recommended sequence Configure document types and upload critical employee documents.Create or adopt core policies, then publish required versions.Set up onboarding/offboarding checklist templates.Seed mandatory training catalogue items and assign initial training.Configure reimbursement categories if expense claims are in scope.Activate reminder rules for documents, policies, checklists and training. End-of-week verification Dashboard cards show expected counts.At least one end-to-end test completed for document request, policy acknowledgement, and training evidence upload.Reminder emails confirmed with internal recipients.

Question 47

How Does HR Suite Handle AU And NZ Differences In Practice?

Accepted Answer

HR Suite workflows are shared across Australia and New Zealand. The main variation is the content pack and policy/training wording adopted by your company. What changes by country Template examples and legal wording defaults can be AU, NZ or shared.Some policy/process templates are intentionally jurisdiction-specific.Company-level configuration determines which country-specific examples are surfaced first. What stays the same Document requests, policy acknowledgement, checklists, training assignments and reminders use the same operational flow.Dashboard and audit tracking operate consistently for both regions. Use site_mode='both' when instructions are operationally identical, and split FAQs only when process or wording differs materially by jurisdiction.

Question 48

UI Reference: How Do I Navigate Every HR Suite Section And Sub-Tab?

Accepted Answer

This reference lists all customer-interactable navigation controls in the HR Suite admin module so teams can find every section quickly. Main left navigation sections DashboardEmployee FilesPolicies & ProceduresOnboarding & OffboardingTraining & EducationExpense ClaimsTemplate LibrarySettings Section sub-tabs Employee Files: All Documents, Missing DocumentsOnboarding & Offboarding: Active Checklists, TemplatesTraining & Education: Catalogue, Assignments, RecordsSettings: Reminders, Expense Categories, Audit Log Dashboard clickable controls Export All CSVCard click-through for Missing Documents, Expiring Documents, Unacknowledged Policies, Overdue Checklists, Overdue Training, Expiring TrainingPer-card Export CSV button when card count is above zero

Question 49

UI Reference: Which Controls Exist In Employee Files And Missing Documents?

Accepted Answer

This control reference covers all interactive fields and actions in All Documents, Upload HR Document, and Missing Mandatory Documents. All Documents controls Upload Document buttonFilter by Status: All Statuses, Current, Expiring Soon, Expired, Pending, ArchivedFilter by Type: All Types plus configured document typesRow actions: Download and Archive (non-archived rows) Upload HR Document modal controls Employee * selectDocument Type * selectFile * upload field (extension/type/size validation)Issue Date date fieldExpiry Date date fieldVisibility select: Employer Only, Employer and EmployeeNotes textareaFooter buttons: Cancel, Upload Missing Mandatory Documents controls Per-row Request button to send document requests to employees

Question 50

UI Reference: Which Controls Exist In Policies & Procedures?

Accepted Answer

This reference covers all interactive controls in Policies, Policy Editor, and the Publish Policy modal. Policy list controls Create Policy buttonPer-row actions: Edit, Publish (draft policies), View Acknowledgements (published policies) Policy editor controls Top actions: Cancel, Save Draft, PublishStart From Policy Example select and Load Example button (create mode)Title * inputCategory select: General, Leave, Health & Safety, Work Health & Safety, Code of Conduct, Anti-Discrimination, Privacy, IT & Security, Remuneration, OtherUse HTML editor checkboxKey Policy Fields: Policy Owner, Approval Path, Review Trigger, Version LabelApply Fields To Content buttonContent editor (HTML or plain text mode) Publish Policy modal controls Effective Date * fieldChange Summary fieldFooter buttons: Cancel, Publish

Question 51

UI Reference: Which Controls Exist In Onboarding & Offboarding Checklists?

Accepted Answer

This reference covers checklist template controls, checklist launch controls, and live checklist task controls. Checklist template list controls Create Template buttonFilter by Type: All Types, Onboarding, OffboardingPer-row actions: Edit, Activate/Deactivate, Delete Checklist template editor controls Top actions: Cancel, Create Template or Update TemplateStart From Checklist Example select and Load ExampleTemplate Name *Type *: Onboarding, OffboardingAdd Task buttonTask row fields: Title *, Description, Assigned To (Admin/Manager/Employee), Due OffsetTask row actions: Move Up, Move Down, Remove Task Active checklist list + Start modal controls Start Checklist buttonFilters: Filter by Status (All, Active, Completed, Cancelled), Filter by Type (All, Onboarding, Offboarding)Per-row View Details actionStart modal fields: Employee *, Template (including No template/blank checklist), Type *, Reference Date *Start modal buttons: Cancel, Start Checklist detail controls Back navigation buttonSign Off button (available when all tasks are completed and checklist is active)Per-task Status select: Not Started, In Progress, CompletedPer-task Notes input (Add notes...)

Question 52

UI Reference: Which Controls Exist In Training & Education?

Accepted Answer

This reference covers all customer-interactable controls in Catalogue, Assignments, and Records. Catalogue controls Seed Defaults button (when catalogue is empty)Add Training Item buttonPer-row actions: Edit, Delete Add/Edit Training Item modal controls Start From Training Example select + Load Example (create mode)Name *CategoryProviderValidity (months)Mandatory for all employees checkboxFooter buttons: Cancel, Create/Update Assignments controls Assign Training buttonPer-row Delete assignment action Assign Training modal controls Training Item * selectEmployees * multi-select (Ctrl/Cmd for multi-select)Due DateFooter buttons: Cancel, Assign Records controls Add Record buttonPer-row Download Evidence (where available)Per-row Delete Record Add Training or Education Record modal controls Employee * selectRecord Title * section with Use custom title (for education, degrees, certificates) toggleCustom text field or training dropdown depending on toggleCompletion Date *Expiry DateResult: Attended, Passed, Failed, N/AProviderNotesFooter buttons: Cancel, Save Record

Question 53

UI Reference: Which Controls Exist In Expense Claims And Categories?

Accepted Answer

This reference covers controls for both Reimbursement Claims and Reimbursement Categories. Reimbursement claim list controls New Claim buttonFilter by Employee selectFilter by Status select: All, Pending, Approved, Rejected, PaidPer-row actions: View / Edit, Approve (pending), Reject (pending), Download Receipt (when available), Delete (pending/rejected) New Reimbursement Claim modal controls Employee *Category *Description *Amount *Expense Date *Payment Method: Add to Next Pay, Separate PaymentReceipt uploadFooter buttons: Cancel, Create Claim Review Reimbursement Claim modal controls Download Receipt button (if attached)Admin Notes textareaDecision buttons (pending claims): Reject, ApproveFooter navigation: Cancel Reimbursement category controls Seed Defaults button (when category list is empty)New Category buttonPer-row actions: Edit, Delete New/Edit Category modal controls Name *DescriptionActive checkboxFooter buttons: Cancel, Create/Update

Question 54

UI Reference: Which Controls Exist In Settings (Reminders And Audit Log)?

Accepted Answer

This reference covers all customer-interactable controls in Reminder Rules and Audit Log. Reminder rules list controls Add Rule buttonPer-row actions: Edit, Delete Add/Edit Reminder Rule modal controls Rule Type *: Document Expiry, Missing Document, Policy Acknowledgement, Checklist Overdue, Training ExpiryDays Before *Repeat Interval (days) (optional)Checkboxes: Notify Admin, Notify Employee, ActiveFooter buttons: Cancel, Create/Update Audit log controls Filter by Entity selectFilter by Action selectRefresh buttonRow click interaction to expand/collapse JSON detail payloads where detail is available

Question 55

UI Reference: Which Controls Exist In Template Library, AI, And Document Studio?

Accepted Answer

This reference documents every interactive control in Template Library, including AI settings/customisation and Document Studio export tooling. Library list controls AI Settings buttonFilter/search controls: Search, Family, Tag, and Search action buttonPer-template actions: Preview, AdoptCompany-adopted template actions: Edit Draft, Clone, Customise with AI, Document Studio / Export Template Preview modal controls Read-only preview sections: Template Structure, Example Draft Document, and Related TemplatesModal close controls: top-right X and standard modal close behaviour Adopt/Edit draft controls Adopt Template modal fields: Destination, Company Template TitleDestination options: Company HR Content, Policy Library (Draft Policy), Checklist Library (Template), Training Library (Catalogue Item), Document Template Library (Document Type)Edit draft modal fields: Title, Guidance Notes, Draft ContentCommon modal actions: Cancel, Adopt, Save Draft AI Settings controls OpenAI API KeyModelEnable AI customisation checkboxActions: Cancel, Save Settings Customise with AI controls Customisation RequestBusiness ContextIndustryToneRisk FocusQuick Actions checkboxes: Make this suitable for retail hospitality; Adapt for a small NZ employer; Make language more formal; Simplify wording for employees; Add a manager procedure section; Tailor for hybrid workAI Draft Output editorActions: Close, Generate Draft, Save to Company Draft Document Studio controls Style profile controls: Saved Style Profiles, Profile Name, Apply, Save New, Update Selected, Set Default, ArchiveExport setup controls: Export Format, Document Title, Subtitle, Header Note, Accent Color, Font Family, Brand Name Override, Support Email Override, Support Phone Override, Max Content Lines (0 = all)Export format options: DOCX, PDF, RTF, HTML, TXT, MDCheckbox options: Include Logo, Include Disclaimer, Include Structure Summary, Include Support FooterPreview and export controls: Refresh Preview, Document Preview pane, Close, Export Document

Question 56

How Do I Pay Family Violence Leave?

Accepted Answer

Use Family Violence in the pay's Leave Taken section when the employee is eligible and the employer is paying family violence leave. Enter the date and Quantity, and set the rate; the Value calculates automatically. Family violence leave is sensitive, so avoid unnecessary detail in the pay-row description or payslip wording. Use neutral wording where the employer needs privacy-aware records. Lightning Payroll does not maintain a separate Family Violence balance. If the employer grants additional paid leave, enter the agreed pay row and keep any sensitive supporting notes outside public-facing payslip text.

Question 57

How Do I Pay Sick Leave?

Accepted Answer

Use the Sick leave type when the employee is eligible and the absence is for the employee, their partner, child, or other dependant. Edit the pay and add a row to the Leave Taken section. Set Type to Sick. Sick Leave is recorded in Days. Enter the Quantity, date, and rate; the Value calculates automatically. Check the Sick balance on the Leave Entitlement/Adjustments tab, or click How is this balance calculated? for the full breakdown. Sick Leave is day-based. If the employer agrees to treat a part-day absence as a fraction of a day, enter the agreed quantity in days. Otherwise, follow the employment agreement and statutory day-based treatment.

Question 58

What Happens When Sick Leave Reaches The Carry-Over Cap?

Accepted Answer

The sick leave carry-over cap limits how much unused Sick Leave can be carried forward. The standard cap is 20 days unless a more generous agreement applies. To review it, open the employee under Employees >> Leave >> Leave Entitlement/Adjustments and click How is this balance calculated?. The Sick Leave section lists each yearly entitlement, any Carry-over limit applied line, and the current balance. If the employer provides more generous sick leave, update the NZ sick leave carryover cap (days) field under Leave Settings. Do not use manual adjustments to bypass the cap unless you are recording a deliberate employer-provided additional entitlement.

Question 59

How Do I Handle Part-Day Sick, Bereavement, Or Family Violence Leave?

Accepted Answer

Sick, bereavement, and family violence leave entitlements are day-based, but employers can agree to treat absences as hours or part-days. If the employer deducts a full day, pay the full-day amount and enter one day. For a part-day, the unit available depends on the leave type: Sick is entered in Days (use a fractional day), while Bereavement and Family Violence are entered in Hours. Enter the agreed quantity and, if needed, override the rate so the Value matches the agreed amount. Keep the description clear so support can see why the row is not a whole day. For Bereavement and Family Violence rows there is no separate leave balance ledger. The pay row records the payment and the audit trail for that pay.

Question 60

How Do I Pay Bereavement Leave?

Accepted Answer

Use Bereavement in the pay's Leave Taken section when the employee is eligible and the absence is being paid as bereavement leave. Enter the date and Quantity, and set the rate; the Value calculates automatically. Bereavement leave is paid only for days that would otherwise be working days, using the relevant daily pay or average daily pay approach that applies. Lightning Payroll does not maintain a separate bereavement leave balance. If the employer provides more than the statutory entitlement, enter the extra paid leave rows according to the employer's decision and keep a clear description.

Question 61

How Do I Handle Leave Without Pay Over A Week?

Accepted Answer

Enter unpaid days in the pay using the Unpaid leave type. The pay screen sets the rate to zero for Unpaid rows. If the employee takes a continuous period of unpaid leave longer than one week, the annual holidays anniversary or the average-weekly-earnings calculation may need special treatment. Lightning Payroll does not infer every legal consequence from a zero-rate leave row. Decide whether the annual holiday anniversary moves out, or whether the anniversary stays the same and the averaging is adjusted, then record that decision. After the decision is made, review the employee's start/anniversary details and any required manual adjustment under Employees >> Leave >> Leave Entitlement/Adjustments, using How is this balance calculated? to check the result. Keep a note explaining the decision.

Question 62

How Does Parental Leave Affect Annual Holidays?

Accepted Answer

Parental leave can affect the value of Annual Holidays even though the employee stays in continuous service. Annual holidays that become entitled during parental leave, or in the 12 months after the employee returns, may be paid using average weekly earnings without the ordinary-weekly-pay comparison. In Lightning Payroll, review the employee's completed pays and the leave valuation before paying annual holidays after parental leave. The valuation is shown on the leave row when you edit the pay; if the calculated value does not match the required parental-leave treatment, override the rate on the leave row using the employer's calculation and the Value recalculates. Do not change the annual holidays balance just because parental leave changed the payment rate. The balance and the valuation are separate issues.

Question 63

How Do Relevant Daily Pay And Average Daily Pay Affect Leave?

Accepted Answer

Relevant Daily Pay and Average Daily Pay affect Public Holidays, Alternative Holidays, Sick Leave, Bereavement Leave, and Family Violence Leave. Use Relevant Daily Pay when the amount the employee would have earned on that day can be worked out. Use Average Daily Pay where allowed and where Relevant Daily Pay is not practical, or the employee's daily pay varies. For variable workers, check rosters, regular allowances, overtime patterns, commission, and other relevant earnings before accepting the pay-row amount. Lightning Payroll defaults these leave rows to the employee's hourly rate and does not automatically convert to relevant daily pay or average daily pay. Override the rate on the leave row when the employer has calculated a different daily-pay amount; the Value recalculates automatically.

Question 64

What If The Employee Is Not Eligible For Sick Leave Yet?

Accepted Answer

If the employee has not met the sick leave qualifying period or statutory work test, do not force a Sick Leave deduction unless the employer is deliberately providing paid sick leave in advance or a more generous entitlement. Check the NZ sick leave qualifying period (months) field under Employees >> Leave >> Leave Settings. Open Leave Entitlement/Adjustments and click How is this balance calculated? to see the next sick anniversary and pending grants. If the absence is unpaid, use the Unpaid leave type on the pay. If the employer agrees to paid leave in advance, record the basis clearly in the pay-row description or employee notes.

How Do I Enter Opening Leave Balances For An Employee?

Answer