Heading into 2026, we’ve been thinking about how we prepare our teams to navigate change. When payroll deadlines are tight or HR systems are updated, panic often arises—not because the work is impossible, but because the change wasn’t set up for success. Effective change management in HR and payroll isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for accuracy, compliance, and team confidence.

As the final quarter unfolds, HR and payroll professionals know what’s coming: deadlines, data checks, open enrollment, and a flood of year-end tasks that all need to be done- accurately and on time.

Sometimes, payroll doesn’t go as planned. People get sick, emergencies happen, and life throws curveballs that no one could anticipate. But one thing is certain: payroll has to run.