SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Demonstrate an understanding of critical ethical values in a payroll environment 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264339  Demonstrate an understanding of critical ethical values in a payroll environment 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Administration 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies Office Administration 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for learners working within a payroll environment, where the acquisition of competence against this standard will add value to one's job capabilities. The completion of this standard will provide the learner with the knowledge of standards of professionalism and ethics in a payroll environment. The learner will be able to apply competences of accuracy, confidentiality and professionalism to ensure that ethical practices are effectively maintained in a payroll environment. The learner will also be equipped with competences to handle ethical dilemmas.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Ensuring accuracy in completing administrative processes for input into payroll system.
  • Ensuring confidentiality in payroll support function.
  • Identifying and applying standards of professionalism to payroll support function.
  • Identifying and resolving ethical dilemmas within payroll environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Communication at NQF Level 3
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Ensure accuracy in completing administrative processes for input into payroll system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The data required to complete payroll is checked for accuracy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The implications of not being accurate are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Inaccuracies are reported on and recommendations made to superior. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Balancing of figures is checked and ensured on an ongoing basis. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Ensure confidentiality in payroll support function. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The consequences not ensuring confidentiality in a payroll environment is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Confidential documents are secured in a filing cabinet where others cannot gain access. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Passwords are installed to protect electronic documents. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    An understanding is demonstrated of when it is applicable or not to divulge information relating to internal or external stakeholders. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Sound judgement and emotional intelligence are applied by not comparing own salary to others and understanding how salary structures in relation to education and experience are formulated and where own salary fits into that structure. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Identify and apply standards of professionalism to payroll support function. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Levels of authority are respected and own function integrates into lines of authority and decision making. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Consequences of non-professional behaviour in a payroll environment are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Sensitive issues arising in a payroll environment are dealt with in a professional manner. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sensitive issues include but are not limited to mistakes on payroll, queries from employees, grievances by employees pertaining to salary structures.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Basic counselling skills are applied when employees raise personal money problems. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Diplomacy is exercised and involvement in gossip pertaining to employees and their personal money and payroll problems is avoided under all circumstances. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    Loyalty to organisation is demonstrated in the way in which payroll support function is executed and standards of professionalism are maintained at all times. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Identify and resolve ethical dilemmas within payroll environment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Issues of fraud are cautiously reported to relevant level of authority. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Ethical dilemmas pertaining to payroll data capturing are identified and reported to the relevant level of authority. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Any irregularities are identified and reported to the relevant level of authority. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Irregularities include but are not limited to the creation of 'ghost' employees, duplicate electronic fund transfers for files created and reports not balancing but accepted, the fabrication of more than one payslip to secure contracts and credit.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Unethical requests are reported to relevant authority. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this unit standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard or assessing this unit standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The learner must demonstrate an understanding of:
  • Data capturing for a payroll system.
  • Professionalism in a payroll environment.
  • Ethics.
  • Ethical dilemmas in the payroll environment.
  • Communications and interpersonal skills.
  • Conflict management. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking processes to identify and effectively report on ethical dilemmas. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others in a team, group, or organisation in order to ensure that standards of professionalism within payroll environment are maintained. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively to ensure that inaccuracies in payroll support function are avoided. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information relating to ethical dilemmas and problems of inaccuracy in payroll data capturing. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion to handle employee payroll problems. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility to the environment and health of others to ensure that all payroll administrative functions are accurately captured. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of interrelated systems by recognising that problems within the payroll environment do not exist in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities by effectively ensuring that payroll administration support is handled in a professional and diplomatic manner. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  93997   National Certificate: Contact Centre and Business Process Outsourcing Support  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-07-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 
    Elective  93995   Further Education and Training Certificate: Payroll Administration Services  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.