Preparing for Year-End Success

As 2025 draws to a close, organizations must gear up for a successful transition into the new year. From payroll compliance to workforce planning and strategic HR initiatives, here’s a comprehensive guide to ensure your business is ready for 2026.

Year-End Payroll & Compliance Readiness

  • W-2/Year-End Tax Prep Ensure all employee records are up to date, including addresses, tax withholdings, and Social Security information. UKG’s Year-End Checklists are now available in the Community to guide you through the process.
  • Payroll Calendar Review Validate your 2026 pay dates, holidays, and processing schedules within UKG Pro to avoid disruptions.
  • Compliance Updates Several states have announced payroll tax changes for 2026. Review your UKG Pro Compliance Library to confirm that automatic updates are scheduled and accurate.
  • ACA Reporting Verify employee hours and benefits eligibility to prepare for IRS reporting requirements.

 

Workforce Planning for the Holidays

  • Scheduling & Coverage Utilize UKG WFM’s forecasting tools to balance seasonal staffing needs with labor cost controls.
  • Accruals & Carryover Review PTO balances, carryover policies, and expiration rules to ensure compliance and transparency.
  • Employee Self-Service Encourage employees to submit time-off requests early to prevent last-minute scheduling issues.
  • Overtime Tracking Automate alerts for employees nearing overtime thresholds to manage labor costs effectively.

 

Technology & System Enhancements

  • Security Roles & Access Review Conduct a security audit to ensure employees have appropriate access levels.
  • Evaluate Integrations Review and optimize integrations across HCM, payroll, benefits, and time systems.
  • Automation Opportunities Identify manual HR or payroll processes that can be automated in UKG, such as onboarding tasks, benefit enrollment reminders, and payroll adjustments.
  • Quarterly Release Features Explore the latest updates in UKG Pro and UKG WFM, including AI-powered analytics for workforce insights.
  • UKG System Health Check Request a system health check to identify and leverage unused functionality.

 

Strategic HR & Talent Initiatives

  • Engagement Pulse Checks Use UKG surveys or sentiment analysis tools to measure employee morale before year-end.
  • Performance Reviews Align year-end evaluations with UKG’s Performance & Succession modules.
  • Succession & Development Analyze performance data to finalize evaluations and identify leadership candidates for 2026.
  • Open Enrollment Support Ensure your benefits portal is tested and ready ahead of open enrollment deadlines.
  • Leverage People Analytics Use workforce trends from 2025 to inform strategic planning for 2026.

 

Action Checklist for Q4 2025

  • Validate payroll year-end readiness (W-2s, ACA, compliance updates)
  • Review scheduling and overtime policies for the holiday season
  • Audit system security roles and user access
  • Test open enrollment processes
  • Explore new automation features in the latest UKG release
  • Conduct year-end employee engagement survey

 

By addressing these key areas, your organization will be well-positioned for a smooth year-end close and a strong start to 2026. Taking action now ensures your teams stay focused, compliant, and empowered—ready to thrive in the year ahead.