CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Rahul Goyal, Managing Director, ADP
- Could you provide an overview about ADP’s history, its involvement in India from its beginning, areas of expertise, and the range of services it provides?
ADP is a leading global provider of cloud-based payroll and human capital management solutions, serving over one million clients in 140 countries for over 75 years.
India is a crucial market for ADP, as it has one of the largest workforces in the world. ADP entered India in 1999 and currently employs over 12,000 people, making it ADP’s second-largest workforce globally and one of India’s top 200 employers.
ADP offers technology solutions and services to enable organisations in India to pay timely and accurate salaries. Payroll is subject to local laws and regulations, which are constantly updated, making it local by nature. ADP helps organisations stay compliant with tax or employment regulations. Salary processing is data-sensitive, requires intensive calculation, and demands deep expertise. Organisations find it challenging to manage by themselves and rely on ADP’s solutions for efficiency, peace of mind, and an enhanced employee experience.
Our range of solutions caters to a wide range of employee-related tasks, including recording attendance and leave, processing salaries, managing employee queries, handling employee separation and exit, and much more.
ADP has a significant advantage over its competitors due to its extensive local knowledge and global expertise, which has been developed over a prolonged period, across a wide range of markets. This has enabled us to support businesses of all sizes and industries, both in India and internationally.
Small and mid-sized organizations rely on our expertise for payroll processing and tax regulations. At the same time, fast-growing companies seek our assistance in managing complex salary data requirements as they onboard a large number of employees. Moreover, Indian companies expanding their operations globally come to us for multi-country payroll solutions.
- In what ways does the talent market and workspace dynamics in India differ from global markets, and how does this impact ADP’s operations and strategies in the country?
India’s market is unique in many ways. The talent space in India is constantly evolving and dynamic. The workforce is predominantly young, and concepts like diversity and pay equity are gaining prominence. Talent mobility is also high, but the ever-changing regulations, including tax and labour laws, across multiple states further compound this dynamism. However, the good news is that standardisation, simplification, and digitisation of cumbersome laws have made compliance much more manageable.
ADP collaborates with a diverse range of organisations across various industry sectors, helping them focus on what matters to them the most – generally talent management and business growth. What sets ADP apart is its product philosophy, best described in three lines – “make it simple, make it smart, and make it human.”
- How can Gen AI/AI-led automated HR functions enhance employee satisfaction, ease core HR management, and minimize errors and costs in processes like payslip generation for companies?
ADP has been working with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in our products for many years, leveraging the power of our data to help businesses succeed. We understand the great potential that new technologies like generative AI (GenAI) can provide as we design and develop innovative solutions that address the critical needs of our clients and associates.
As part of our broader GenAI strategy, we have the infrastructure to continue to incorporate these innovations in the right way for the right reasons and scale them across our business.
We recently released ADP Assist in the US, a cross-platform solution powered by GenAI. ADP Assist enhances HR productivity, aids decision-making with data-driven insights, and streamlines day-to-day tasks for practitioners, managers, employees and executives with simple, human-like conversations. It harnesses the power of ADP’s unparalleled data and expertise along with GenAI to simplify the world of work. ADP Assist builds on ADP’s current AI capabilities and is in early release with some ADP clients today with a planned rollout for all clients.
At ADP, we prioritise the ethical and transparent utilisation of AI and ML technologies. Thus, we enforce strict oversight mechanisms and focus on mitigating biases while ensuring diverse perspectives in our technology development processes.
- How can payroll management contribute to efficient tax collection and financial awareness for employees?
Effective payroll management plays a crucial role in both tax collection and financial awareness for employees. Accurately calculating and deducting taxes from employees’ salaries, including income tax, social security contributions, and other applicable taxes, enables employees to meet their tax obligations correctly, avoiding potential penalties or fines. Clear and detailed pay statements empower employees to understand their financial situation, fostering responsible financial planning.
Pay is the core foundation of financial wellness. ADP offers cloud-based payroll solutions that ensure employees receive their pay on time, accurately and in compliance with the relevant legislation. Employees will have greater peace of mind if they know how much and when they will be paid, which helps them deal with the myriad of life’s challenges thrown at them.
- As the HRtech industry evolves, how does ADP India envision shaping the future of HR and payroll?
India is undergoing an exciting growth period, with its economy expanding at a rate of 6% or more, thanks to the country’s swift digitisation and industrialisation. One significant development is that many workers from India’s vast informal workforce are shifting to the formal workforce. In the formal economy, proper processes are followed for wages and salaries. ADP ensures workers receive accurate, timely payment that complies with local laws. ADP also advocates for pay equity and transparency.
As we move towards a digital era, we will continue to embrace innovations catering to our clients’ evolving needs. The payroll industry is becoming increasingly important in driving India towards a future that prioritises financial literacy, transparency, and compliance. The digitalisation of payroll has benefits beyond administrative efficiency, including positive impacts on economic growth, employee well-being, and financial literacy.
Currently in India, a very small proportion of businesses are using payroll outsourcing solutions, which implies a vast market with immense growth potential. ADP is excited to be a part of this change and help drive this industry forward.
