The University of Toronto celebrates National Payroll Week from September 18 to 22, 2023 alongside institutions and businesses large and small across Canada. We do so to recognize a profession that is largely performed behind the scenes, but is utterly crucial to the functioning of our institution and the well-being of all those who work here. 

The National Payroll Institute (formerly Canadian Payroll Association) initiated this week of recognition in 1995. I encourage you to take some time to read the NPI’s profiles of payroll professionals across Canada to gain insight into this important role and why it remains a profession of choice across the country. 

Consistency is a gold standard within the payroll profession. Yet change remains an ongoing reality for payroll professionals. At U of T, our payroll teams work hard to keep abreast of evolving legislation, employment standards, collective agreements, benefits, and contracts. Moreover, U of T requires so many different types of roles within our workforce that a payroll team may be managing payment for individuals from different employee groups and unions, for short-term contract staff, and for external vendors—all in a given day. Technology, too, has impacted our payroll teams significantly. Moving from paper-based methods to digital processes and systems requires enormous change and a willingness to see the long-term benefits of immediate, often very challenging, effort.  

Please join me in thanking payroll staff in the Division of People Strategy, Equity & Culture and in Divisional HR Offices across our three campuses. I am extremely grateful for the tenacity of our payroll teams and their dedication to delivering payments accurately and on time. In a climate marked by increasing financial instability, these staff provide everyone who works at U of T with much-needed peace of mind.