Working Smarter Café Podcast: Recent Episodes
Lauren
Working Smarter Café, the tips and tricks blog for UKG customers, is one of the most popular resources for administrators, payroll professionals, managers, and data enthusiasts who use UKG software solutions. If reading isn’t your cup of tea (pun intended), but the longing for more product knowledge is rivaling your morning caffeine craving, this show is for you. Tune in for candid conversations with customers and other UKG experts and learn new ways to get the most from your UKG workforce management and human capital management software solutions.
Geofencing may involve "fences", but it doesn't have to be limiting when you know how to use it. Senior Product Manager, Jaclyn Aiken, joins us today to discuss how UKG Pro WFM customers can apply and adapt geofencing to meet their unique workplace needs. Whether your employees clock into a grocery store or a warehouse, geofencing helps increase accountability and offers useful analytics.
You can read more about Geofencing here.
Today Sarah Marks, Customer Lifecycle Marketing Intern, joins us for a special edition of the Working Smarter Café. National Payroll week runs September 1-5 in the U.S. this year, and we're excited to take the time to highlight some of payroll professionals who make the UKG Insiders and this industry so special.
Read more about National Payroll Week and the future of payroll here.
Thanks for joining us!
Check inside the UKG Wallet™ this week with Elizabeth Greene, our Lead Strategic Alliance Manager and resident UKG Wallet expert. This episode of The Working Smarter Cafe Pod discusses Earned Wage Access and the Pay Card Program, two programs that are easy for your employees to use, and even easier for you to implement.
Check out more info on UKG Wallet and testimonies from customers here: Intro to UKG Wallet
UKG Huddles are back for 2025! Learn how to take your UKG solution knowledge to the next level by connecting with your peers and UKG product experts. Whether you work with UKG Pro®, UKG Pro Workforce Management™, or UKG Ready®, the Huddles are one-day complimentary events that will leave you motivated, educated, and entertained.
UKG Huddle: Upcoming Events (Click to pre-register)
Dallas, TX: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm EST
Burlington, MA: Thursday, April 17, 2025
Virtual Huddle: Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 10:30 am – 4:30 pm EST
Toronto, CA: Tuesday, June 10, 2025
Chicago, IL: Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm EST
In this episode, we're excited to share the new UKG Community search experience. AI-generated answers now appear at the top when you search the Community, summarizing your results and making the information you need easier than ever to find.
After listening to the episode, you can find further information on the AI-generated Answers feature on the Search the Community page.
Have you checked out the new UKG Pro mobile app? We're excited to introduce this new mobile experience, combining multiple products under one app. In this episode, we'll share how admins and their employees can easily transition to the new app at any time.
For more details on which product users will benefit from switching to the UKG Pro app, check out our helpful video presentation in the UKG Library, "Unlocking the UKG Pro Mobile App: Key Insights and Benefits."
For today's Two-Minute Tuesday Tip, Customer Marketing Program Manager, Amanda Boyle, takes a moment to talk about our UKG Ready Marketplace feature add on: EmpInfo. Shemika Jackson, Senior Director of Total Rewards at the Tampa YMCA, drops in to speak on the benefits of implementing and utilizing EmpInfo in her own organization.
Like what you're hearing? Subscribe to the podcast to catch our next episodes. And if you're looking for something to read, there's plenty of content waiting for you on the Working Smarter Cafe Blog.
Election Day is coming up soon in the United States, however, not all States categorize November 5th in the same way. In this episode, you'll discover how to update your calendar to include an additional holiday, and how to best support your employees as a company on that day.
There are plenty of resources in the UKG Community on how to add holidays into your solution, but here's a few links to resources that can get you started Pro, Ready, and Pro WFM.
In today’s episode, we are teamed up with Amanda Boyle, guest host of The Experience Expert, and special guest Brad Nycz to talk about Employee Retention. Tune in to learn about what's motivating employees to stay in or leave a role, and what companies are doing about it. Spoiler alert: it's all about flexibility.
Like what you're hearing? Subscribe to the podcast to catch our next episode. And if you're looking for something to read, there's plenty more where that came from on the Working Smarter Cafe Blog.
Internal job transfers start simple — the employee is already in your UKG Pro solution after all; how hard could it be? However, working multiple jobs, transferring from one company to another, and other complications can come into play and complicate the process. In this episode, we make sure that transferring roles within a company stays simple.
After listening, follow the links below for further details on the process.
US: https://library.ukg.com/transfer-an-employee
International: https://library.ukg.com/transfer-employees-(international)-guide
Canada: https://library.ukg.com/transfer-employees-(canada)-guide
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip series shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite café beverage. In this episode, we're introducing the Solution Snapshot newsletter. This monthly newsletter contains information for UKG Ready, UKG Pro, and UKG Pro Workforce Management, meaning there's something for everyone.
For further information on the Solution Snapshot and access to monthly editions, please visit the UKG Community page here.
On this episode, we’ll introduce you to a new Program Series that will help all of our Payroll Admins prepare for Year End. Today we're joined by Lailaa Turner from the Customer Marketing team. She's excited to share about the Payroll Mid-Year blog series, and you can find the first of the three installments on the Working Smarter Cafe blog here: Payroll Prep: Beyond the Halfway Mark – Preparing and Data Validation.
It’s hard to believe our UKG Community opened its doors over a year ago already! We know there are many different paths to take, groups to join, and people to meet, so we’re sharing seven steps for success with you that will help you navigate more quickly and get the most out of your experience in our neighborhood.
For full details on all the tips we talk about today, visit our companion blog at the Working Smarter Café, Seven Steps for Success in the UKG Community.
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite café beverage. In this episode, you'll learn about the latest compliance changes throughout the U.S. and Canada.
For the full details on the compliance updates we talk about today, visit our companion blog over at the Working Smarter Cafe, Beach Reads for Compliance: June’s Compliance Refreshers
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite café beverage. In this episode, you'll learn about the latest compliance changes throughout the U.S. and Canada.
For the full details on the compliance updates we talk about today, visit our companion blog over at the Working Smarter Cafe, Compliances Updates You May Not Have Heard About | UKG.
In this episode, we're joined by Ray McLane and Ilias Terki-Hassaine from the UKG Specialty Product Support team to cover the ins and outs of the new Tax Setup (Company) business rule for UKG Pro Payment Services customers to add and update U.S. state and local tax codes with ease. We review:
- The benefits of using the new business rule
- The types of tax codes compatible with the new functionality
- Tax code exceptions
- Plans for future enhancements
- And a lot more!
For more information on the new Tax Setup (Company) business rule, review the Configure Company U.S. State and Local Tax Codes, Request SUI Tax Rate changes, and Tax Code Exceptions job aids. We also recommend you review our Payment Services Gatewayjob aid for a step-by-step guide on viewing up-to-date payroll tax filing data.
Did you know that UKG Ready is an international product? In this episode, we are joined by Chris Kiklas, Vice President of Product Management for UKG Ready, to discuss the new Multi-Currency functionality and how it is helping make strides in the international space. We’ll also discuss many of the ways the UKG Ready functionality comes together in the overall international strategy.
Created as a neighborhood with you and your products in mind, the new UKG Community™ offers you a place to interact with your peers, find answers to your most pressing questions, sign up for training and webinars, and a lot more. But, who better to tell you the benefits of the Community than customers like you! In this episode, we're joined by 3 customers who share the features you won't want to miss and the friendly people you'll meet along the way.
Be sure to take a stroll around the UKG Community today! While you're there, if you need assistance on managing your access or adding additional contacts, refer to the Community Customer Self-Registration and Access job aid.
In today’s episode, we are delighted to have two special guests, Malini Rao, Senior Director of User Experience Research, and Chris Beebe, a Manager of Product Management for UKG Ready, join us today. Tune in to learn about:
- What attention economy is
- How attention economy influenced the recent changes in UKG Ready
- The upcoming changes and what you can expect moving forward
For additional customer content, please check out the UKG Ready Release Readiness page.
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite café beverage. In this episode, you'll learn why the UKG Ready Mobile app is a must-have when optimizing your company's HR and workforce management process.
For full details about the UKG Ready Mobile app, visit our resource page on the Community.
Find additional customer content to help you work smarter on the Working Smarter Cafe blog.
In this episode, we cover:
- The ins and outs of paid family and medical leave legislation
- What has led to the trend of paid family & medical legislation from coast to coast
- The various types of leave plans and exceptions
- How UKG products help you support these plans
- And a lot more!
For more information on compliance and legislative changes, be sure to follow the Compliance Connection group in the UKG Community.
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite café beverage. In this episode, you learn about a not-so-hidden gem, the HR and Payroll Resource Library – your one-stop resource for up-to-date state and federal legislation summaries, and compliance trend information – located on the new UKG Community™ home page.
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite cafe beverage. In this episode, you learn about the Employee Location Allocation for Hybrid Work feature, a return-to-office lifesaver for UKG Pro administrators that need to split earnings across locations for tax calculations.
For full details on this feature, check out the Employee Location Allocation for Hybrid Work job aid in the UKG Community.
A big thanks to Staci Abelow and the UKG AV team for all their help with this episode.
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in under two minutes — less time than it takes to brew your coffee or tea. In this episode, you learn how one customer uses UKG Ready Learning.
UKG Ready Learning Product Tour
UKG Ready Learning Product Profile
Find additional customer content to help you work smarter on the Working Smarter Cafe Blog.
In today’s episode, we are teamed up with Kristen Hug, host of The Experience Expert, and special guest Brad Nycz to talk about performance management. Tune in to learn about:
- Common myths and roadblocks
- Succession planning
- Connecting all human capital processes
- The impact of data on the process
Find additional customer content to help you work smarter on the Working Smarter Cafe Blog.
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite cafe beverage. In this episode, you learn about one of the most exciting functionality updates in the UKG Ready new dashboard experience: pre-configured dashboard tabs.
In today’s episode, we are teamed up with Kristen Hug, host of The Experience Expert, and special guest Brad Nycz to discuss benefits trends to consider for 2023. Tune in to learn about:
- Current trends in benefits
- Choice and flexibility to manage costs and offer the coverage needed
- The difference in planning between 2022 and 2023
- Company policy as a benefit
Read more about benefits trends for 2023 here! And find additional customer content to help you work smarter on the Working Smarter Cafe Blog.
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite cafe beverage. In this episode, you learn about your new must-have HR resource, The Experience Expert. The first webinar is on June 8 at 2:00 p.m. eastern. Register for the webinar now!
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in two minutes — less time than it takes to brew your coffee or tea. In this episode, you learn about the UKG customer fan club, UKG Insiders, and the opportunities that come with participating.
- About the UKG Insiders Program
- Insiders@UKG.com
Find additional customer content to help you work smarter on the Working Smarter Cafe Blog.
In this episode, we cover:
- The demand for earned wage access solutions
- The benefits and smile-worthy moments (including alleviating financial stress) that can accompany taking advantage of the new UKG earned wage access solution
- How it’s possible the cost is $0 for your organization
For more information on the UKG Wallet earned wage access solution
- Check out the UKG Wallet product page or contact your ERM or sales rep
- Head to the newsroom: UKG Ushers in New Generation of Financial Wellness with UKG Wallet
Find additional customer content to help you work smarter on the Working Smarter Cafe Blog.
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite cafe beverage. In this episode, you learn about the Customer Engagement Toolkit
UKG Customer Engagement Toolkit
Note: Please log in to UKG Kronos Community to access the toolkit.
In this episode, we cover:
1. What a Viewpoint engagement is and the qualifications for participating
2. The benefits of participating in Viewpoint
3. True customer value realization examples
Find more insights on the Working Smarter Cafe blog.
The Two-Minute Tuesday Tip shares a noteworthy tidbit of information in less time than it takes to brew your favorite cafe beverage. In this episode, you learn about helpful UKG resources for navigating year-end payroll.
Year-End Payroll Resource Pages
- UKG Workforce Central
- UKG Ready
- UKG Dimensions
- UKG Pro US and UKG Pro Canada
Blogs
- It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year (and Busiest!) and UKG Pro Can Help
- Top UKG Year-End Resources to Help You Cross the Finish Line (Workforce Central, Ready, Dimensions, Pro)
- How to Succeed with a Stress-Free Year-End (Workforce Central, Ready, Dimensions)
- That Perfectly Wrapped Gift with the Fancy Bow — ACA Year-End Resources (Ready and Dimensions HCM)
Find more insights on the Working Smarter Cafe Blog.
In this episode, I interview 2021 UKG Insider of the Year Marky Payne of Vancity. We talk about...
- Why Vancity moved to UKG Dimensions™ from Workforce Central®
- Important factors to consider, such as project team members, business structure, configuration, change management, and testing
- What Vancity end-users think about Dimensions
...among other things! Tune in to learn more!
ResourcesWorking Smarter Cafe Blog
UKG Kronos Community Articles. Please log in for access.
- Configuration Tips for the Business Structure in UKG Dimensions
- Recommended Limits for Business Structure Attributes in UKG Dimensions
- Unified User Experience and Branding in UKG Dimensions WFM
Change management
- Organizational Change Management Guide
- 7 Steps to Successful Workforce Management Adoption
- User Adoption Services Datasheet
- UKG Testing Plan White Paper
- UKG Dimensions Performance Testing
Training
- KnowledgeMap Live: Administration Essentials: Business Structures
- UKG Dimensions Online Help
In this Working Smarter Café Podcast Trailer, we cover what the show is about and who will enjoy it most.
Resources
- Working Smarter Cafe Blog