Ireland's economy has gone through some remarkable changes over a short period of time. While struggling with growth throughout much of the 20th century, the country experienced an economic boom during the late 90s and early 2000s, dubbed the "Celtic Tiger". Although Ireland's growth has levelled off in recent years, it remains a stable, high-income economy that punches well above its weight as a centre of multinational enterprise. For a country of five million people, Ireland hosts a disproportionately high number of multinationals — drawn by a low corporate tax rate, a well-regulated economy, and an English-speaking workforce — making it one of the most attractive entry points into the European market.

However, setting up in Ireland comes with its own complexities. A common misconception is that Ireland's payroll and taxation rules resemble those of other EU countries, or of its nearest neighbour, the UK. The two countries operate different tax regimes, different employment legislation, and different tax year calendars. Ireland's system has evolved significantly in recent years, with real-time reporting introduced in 2019 and mandatory auto-enrollment for workplace pensions following in January 2026. In this episode of Payroll Around the World, we’re joined by experts Deirdre Edwards, Service Director for ADP Ireland, and Ben Dale-Gough, Senior Director of Service for Northern Europe. We also speak to Kieran, a bar manager in Dublin who shares his experiences with the auto-enrollment pension scheme.

Timestamps

• [00:07]: Intro
• [03:14]: The Irish economy
• [04:45]: Processing payroll for expats
• [05:53]: The relationship between the UK and Ireland
• [08:44]: The Irish tax system
• [10:39]: Real-time reporting
• [16:32]: Taxing benefits in kind
• [19:03]: Auto-enrollment for pensions
• [20:13]: Kieran’s story
• [22:44]: How pensions work in Ireland

Credits

• Executive Producers for ADP: Nicola Smith and Kate Allen
• Executive Producer for Storythings: Matt Locke
• Lead Producer for Storythings: Chris Mitchell
• Scripted and hosted by: Luisa Rollenhagen
• Guest interview recorded by: Jade Wilson
• Project Manager: Aimee Perrinjaquet

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chile is a country marked by extremes. Along with being the longest country in the world, the Latin American country is also the narrowest in the world, with an average width of only 177 km. For reference, that’s roughly the distance between Amsterdam and Brussels. Chile is popular among visitors thanks to its varied and striking landscapes, from the majestic glaciers of Patagonia in the south to the Atacama Desert in the north. The latter, which is also the oldest and driest non-polar desert on Earth, is an operational site for many mining companies. Chile’s mining industry dominates the world market for copper and iodine, while being the second-largest producer of lithium. Because these companies usually operate in extremely remote regions, it’s common for employers to offer their employees bonuses and tax benefits as an incentive for moving there.

For businesses looking to gain a foothold in Latin America, Chile presents an appealing option. It has one of the most stable, high-income economies in Latin America and a legislative environment that remains relatively predictable. But multinational companies coming to Chile must contend with a complex web of labor rules, unions, and payroll regulations. In this episode of Payroll Around the World, we’re joined by ADP experts Andrea Mollenhauer, Senior Sales Manager at ADP Chile, and Felipe Rodriguez, Senior Product Manager for Chile, Peru, and Argentina, as they share insights into Chile’s payroll culture. We also speak to Catalina, a manager at a mining company in the Atacama Desert who gives her perspective on her company’s financial incentives from an employee’s perspective.

Timestamps

• [00:08]: Intro
• [04:04]: Chile’s economy
• [05:24]: Payroll challenges in Chile
• [07:55] Unions in Chile
• [10:24]: A standard payroll run
• [12:24]: Taxation of bonuses
• [13:53]: Incentives for workers in remote regions
• [17:32]: Catalina’s story
• [21:30]: What to do when an employee leaves
• [22:34]: Pensions in Chile

Credits

• Executive Producers for ADP: Nicola Smith and Kate Allen
• Executive Producer for Storythings: Matt Locke
• Lead Producer for Storythings: Chris Mitchell
• Scripted and hosted by: Luisa Rollenhagen
• Guest interview recorded by: Claudia M. León Arango
• Project Manager: Aimee Perrinjaquet

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you think of Sweden, the first things that come to mind are probably the priceless treasure that is ABBA, flat-pack furniture, and delicious little meatballs. But the Scandinavian nation has much more to offer than these cultural touchstones. Sweden’s economy is also one of the most developed in Europe, with a strong sense of equality baked into its labor laws. Strong sectors such as pharmaceuticals and tech have flourished in Sweden, attracting a wide range of multinational businesses and foreign employees. Its highly skilled, highly educated, and largely bilingual (English-speaking) workforce also presents a big draw for international companies interested in gaining a foothold in Europe.

However, Sweden’s labor landscape is also characterized by some genuinely surprising complexity, particularly when it comes to benefits, holiday pay, and the cultural norms of Swedish working life. The employee-employer relationship is built on a foundation of trust, and this extends to payroll as well. Getting payroll wrong in Sweden can create significant tension. Another issue employers should watch out for is the taxation rules around benefits, which can trip up employees and employers who may have just wanted to treat their team to lunch. In this episode of Payroll Around the World, we’re joined by ADP experts Ingela Persson, Senior Service and Implementation Manager at ADP Sweden, and Ben Dale-Gough, Senior Director for Northern Europe, as they share insights into Sweden’s payroll culture. We also speak to Carlo, a Stockholm-based consultant who gives his perspective on the taxation of benefits.

Timestamps

•Intro [00:07]

•Sweden’s labor market [03:36]

•Sweden’s system versus other Nordics [05:43]

•The cultural aspects of Swedish payroll [07:17]

•The taxation of benefits [09:49]

•Carlo’s story [11:17]

•The complexities of holiday pay [15:40]

•Employer reporting requirements [19:16]

•The importance of Fika and fostering good relationships with employees [21:49]

Credits

•Executive Producers for ADP: Nicola Smith and Kate Allen

•Executive Producer for Storythings: Matt Locke

•Lead Producer for Storythings: Chris Mitchell

•Scripted and hosted by: Luisa Rollenhagen

•Guest interview recorded by: Cici Xiao

•Project Manager: Aimee Perrinjaquet

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.