Learning about payroll, the needs of Generation Z and recruiting young payroll talent: an interview with Jana.
A year ago, I wrote about Jana’s entry into the world of payroll in a blog article entitled ‘A learning journey comes to an end’. In episode 11 of THE PAYROLL Podcast, I talk to Jana about her journey over the last 12 months, her change of perspective, and whether she has found her place in payroll.
Sabine: Jana, it’s great to have you here today. Do you remember our first meeting?
Jana: Absolutely! At the time, I was an apprentice, and you came to our company as the project manager for an outsourcing project. I was directly involved and quickly became the main point of contact, even though I was still in the middle of my training.
Sabine: You acted very responsibly even back then. Was that your entry into payroll?
Jana: Yes, I just kind of fell into it. Through the project, I quickly realised how exciting the topic could be. Since I was already responsible for data delivery, I was given more responsibility after the system went live.
Sabine: A year later, you became payroll manager, but only for the Belgian and Dutch payrolls. How did that happen?
Jana: After the project, I changed companies and now I work for an international firm. My English skills were a real advantage there. I now manage payroll for Belgium and the Netherlands, working closely with external service providers.
Sabine: You also did three months of payroll coaching with me during the project. How did that help you?
Jana: It helped me a lot. Rather than a traditional seminar, it was practical coaching. We could address current issues directly. I had the opportunity to ask questions and apply the theory right away. That helped me gain confidence enormously.
Sabine: What motivates you most in payroll today?
Jana: Taking responsibility, questioning things and ensuring that employees are paid correctly. Despite all the complexity, I think it’s important to keep people in mind.
Sabine: What should companies do to attract young talent to payroll?
Jana: Get them involved early on, recognise their potential, and help them develop in a practical way. A combination of structure, trust and learning support helped me enormously. Also: Payroll needs to be made more visible and attractive — it’s much more exciting than many people realise!
Conclusion: Jana’s story shows how learning in payroll can work: it’s structured and practical, and involves real responsibility. She is a prime example of a new generation of payroll managers who combine competence with attitude.
Curious? Want to listen to the conversation with Jana? You can listen to the full episode with Jana on Youtube here. (German Language).
Find out more about Jana’s training
➡️ Learning payroll in the learning journey concept.
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