Staffology Payroll autumn 2026 software update

The Staffology Payroll team have been hard at work updating the payroll software with plenty of new features.

The autumn 2026 update adds four features to Staffology Payroll: AI processing notes with two-way chat, import preview and AI mapping, an inbound Nest pension connector and error reporting on pay run imports.

Izzy Hayhurst, Product Owner Team Lead, explained the rationale behind the work happening in Staffology Payroll: “If there’s one thread that runs through everything in the roadmap, it’s reducing manual work and giving you more confidence and control over your payroll process.”

This blog showcases the latest features the team have been working on.

AI processing notes and two-way chat (BETA)

The first new feature currently in beta for Staffology Payroll that we want to highlight is AI processing notes with two-way chat.

Previously, when an employer submitted a note for processing that was missing some crucial information – for example, a pension change without an effective date – it usually turned into a back-and-forth between the processor and the employer.

The processor had to spot the gap, follow it up and wait for a reply before they could action the request.

All of this happened outside Staffology Payroll, typically over email.

This new feature aims to resolve this headache by bringing smart AI-generated processing notes directly into the payroll screen.

It has a genuine two-way chat function, meaning that you’re not just reading a note, but you can actually interact with it and get clarification on context.

So, with the new feature, as the employer writes the note, our AI writing assistant will be triggered and it will inform the author exactly what information is still needed to provide a clear, actionable note.

Additionally, it provides an opportunity for the author to go back and edit the note before submitting for processing.

If the note is submitted without the required information, processors can reach out directly, ensuring completeness of the note before actioning the request.

Import preview and AI mapping (BETA)

The next Staffology Payroll feature, which is currently in beta, is the import preview and AI mapping.

Import preview and AI mapping gives you a detailed breakdown of what’s happening with your import before it ever touches the pay run.

The AI mapping takes a lot of the manual matching off your hands; with this new feature, you can catch issues early rather than after the fact.

To access the feature, within Staffology Payroll, click on the guided import mapper on the import screen to reach the file upload screen.

Note that only CSV, Excel and PDF files are accepted, so if you try to upload something else, the system blocks it straight away and the upload button is only enabled once a valid file has been added.

When the correct file has been uploaded, a preview is shown so you can recheck the data before moving on.

The system then matches source fields to Staffology Payroll’s import columns and shows how confident it is in each match.

High-confidence fields are applied automatically, and anything below the threshold is flagged, so nothing uncertain is applied without you seeing it.

Inbound Nest pension connector and pension lock (BETA)

The third update we’ll cover in this blog is the inbound Nest pension connector with a pension lock, which is also currently in beta.

The new feature handles ceased memberships and opt-outs being brought back from the pension provider.

With this feature, clients can automatically download pension notices from Nest, such as opt-outs, ceased memberships and refunds.

This gives more control over when the notices are applied within the current payroll process.

Historically, this is something that has been a manual headache for many payroll professionals, so it’s great to get it automated.

Error reporting on pay run imports (BETA)

The last feature we’ll cover is error reporting on pay run imports.

The Staffology Payroll team have viewed a lot of the feedback on the Ideas Portal and spoken to various customers to find out where the current pain points are.

One of the pain points that came up was error reporting on imports, so for this release, the team have initially focused on the pay run import.

With this updated feature, users get a clear results screen after each pay run import, with the outcome of that import and totals.

Any rejected rows will now be listed with clearer error messages, and you also have the ability to download those errors to CSV, in case you need to share those errors with someone else.

Watch the webinar

For more information on everything covered in this blog, and for a look at the Staffology Payroll roadmap and upcoming features, watch the webinar here.

To see our previous Staffology Payroll updates, click below:

• Staffology Payroll summer 2026 software update
• Staffology Payroll spring 2026 update
• Staffology Payroll winter 2025 update

To learn more about Staffology Payroll, visit the product page here, or download the Staffology Payroll software brochure.

Staffology Payroll autumn 2026 software update

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How can employers and payroll processors sort out pay change requests without emailing back and forth?

Staffology Payroll’s AI processing notes checks each note as the employer writes it and says what information is still missing, such as an effective date for a pension change. If a note is submitted incomplete, the processor can follow up with the employer inside Staffology Payroll before acting on it.

Can Staffology Payroll import pay data from CSV or Excel and flag problems before the pay run?

Yes, Staffology Payroll can import pay data from CSV or Excel and flag problems before the pay run. Import preview and AI mapping (in beta) accepts CSV, Excel and PDF files, shows a preview of the data and matches each field to Staffology Payroll’s import columns with a confidence level. High-confidence matches are applied automatically, and anything below the threshold is flagged for you to check.

What happens when a pay run import fails in Staffology Payroll?

After every pay run import, Staffology Payroll shows a results screen with the outcome and totals. Any rejected rows are listed with clear error messages. You can download them as a CSV to share with colleagues or clients. This feature is in beta.

Does Staffology Payroll connect to Nest and handle opt-outs automatically?

Yes, Staffology Payroll connects to Nest and handles opt-outs automatically. The inbound Nest pension connector (in beta) automatically downloads opt-outs, ceased memberships and refunds from Nest. You decide when those notices are applied in the current pay run.

How does Staffology Payroll use AI to reduce manual payroll work?

Staffology Payroll uses AI in two ways, both currently in beta. It checks processing notes for missing information as you write them, and it matches fields in imported files to the correct payroll columns. Both features are designed to catch problems before they reach your pay run.