Payroll Run - CSV Upload

The Zeal Dashboard allows you to easily run payroll by uploading a CSV file containing all shift or check information for your workforce. This feature leverages a powerful AI tool and is ideal for creating multiple employee checks at once for a specific pay period and date.

Running Payroll via CSV Upload in Zeal

Follow the steps below to upload your CSV and process an off-cycle payroll run.

1. Access the Off-Cycle Payroll Tool

Once in the selected company you want to run payroll for, navigate to:

• Pay → Run Payroll → Run Off-Cycle Payroll

2. Setup the Off-Cycle Payroll

In the Create Off-Cycle Payroll modal, you’ll configure key details for your off-cycle run:

• Pay Frequency: Choose the pay schedule your workers fall under (e.g., weekly, biweekly).
• Pay Speed: Select from the available pay speed options (these may vary based on your company’s configuration in Zeal).
• Disbursement Method (optional): You can select a disbursement method, or leave it blank to use the default payment method.
• Pay Date: Choose the date employees will receive their pay (e.g., Friday).

Once all fields are set, click Create Payroll.

3. Upload your Payroll CSV

Select the Import Payroll CSV option.

Drag and drop your CSV file into the upload area, or select a file from your folders.

Once uploaded, Zeal’s AI mapping tool will automatically identify and map the fields from your CSV into Zeal-appropriate fields for payroll processing.

Review and adjust the mappings if needed.

Note that for checks you can key off of either:

• The Employee ID created in Zeal for the Employee
• An External ID that you provide, that is stored onto the Employee record in Zeal

4. Review and Map CSV Fields

After uploading your file, please review the data mappings:

• Pay Items: Confirm each pay item (e.g., regular hours, bonuses, reimbursements) is mapped correctly.
• Hours and Wages: Check that all hours and wage amounts are accurate.
• Custom Shift Names: You can add custom names to individual shift items for clarity.
• For Accruals, if correct time off numbers and an accrual policy code has been added to deduct from an Employee's balance.
• If including the OT Flag Recommendation ensure it is set correctly, e.g. if you would like Zeal to handle the OT calculation for you (optional).

Once mappings are correct, click Continue.

5. Review and Edit Checks

You’ll now see a preview of the uploaded data:

• Review all rows in the spreadsheet view.
• Edit any fields directly within the table if necessary.
• Scroll horizontally to view all available columns for adjustments or transformations.

When everything looks accurate, click Create Checks. This will create checks in the system for your payroll.

6. Review the Off-Cycle Payroll

After creating checks, you can review them within your Off-Cycle Payroll view:

• Adjust disbursement methods if needed.
• Modify or add additional hours.
• Preview net pay, taxes, and deductions for accuracy.

Click Continue to move to the next step to preview and submit.

7. Preview and Submit Payroll

On the Preview and Submit page, you’ll see a full breakdown of payroll data, including:

• Summary View - Summaries of totals per check.
• Deductions View – See all employee and employer deductions.
• Taxes View – Review tax withholdings and contributions.
• Accruals View – Verify any accrued benefits or balances.
• Company Totals - Company Debit, Total Gross Pay, Total Employer Taxes, etc.

Once you’ve validated all the data, click Approve and Submit Payroll.

8. View Submitted Payroll

After submitting the Payroll Run, the checks will be picked up and processed by Zeal at their designated cutoff time with the speed and check date combination.

While the checks are still in a Pending status, they can be viewed under the Pay -> Pending tab, where they can be reviewed and edited as needed until Processed.

Demo Example

For a quick video walkthrough you can review this CSV Upload Admin Video.

Summary

• The CSV Upload Payroll Tool in Zeal makes it easy to manage large or custom payroll runs efficiently.

By using the off-cycle payroll workflow, you can:

• Quickly upload shift or check data.
• Map and validate employee records automatically.
• Review, edit, and submit payroll with full transparency.