Quick Payroll Check: A 30-Minute Spot Audit You Can Do This Week

A fast 30-minute payroll audit can catch simple issues before they turn into expensive problems. If you haven’t done a 2025 payroll check yet, now’s the time!

Here's a quick, focused spot audit to run this week that could save you from costly legal battles down the road.

Meal/Rest Timing Sweep (10 min)

Pull a week of timecards and quickly verify that meal breaks are taken no later than the end of the 5th hour of work. Flag any late, short, or missed breaks for correction.

Check for Premium Pay (5 min)

For any non-compliant meal or rest break, ensure a premium payment is made to the employee. This should be recorded as a separate pay code, not mixed in with regular wages, and included on the wage statement.

Expense Reimbursements (5 min)

Spot-check mileage logs, as well as cell phone or internet use stipends. Employees using personal devices or vehicles for work should be properly reimbursed per your company policy.

Wage Statement Scan (5 min)

Review paystubs for all required details: gross/net wages, legal entity name, total hours worked, hourly rates, overtime pay, paid sick leave balances, and any other items required under Labor Code section 226.

Document the Fix (5 min)

Record what you reviewed, found, and corrected. Even a brief note in Excel or your payroll system will demonstrate your good faith efforts, which is crucial in the event of a PAGA claim or any other litigation.

Thirty minutes this week could save you from a million-dollar headache next year. Don’t wait for a claim to prompt your audit—be proactive now.