If your company already has legal entities in the countries where you employ people, Global Payroll gives you a single platform to run payroll across all of them, without needing a different local provider or a different process in every country.
What Global Payroll actually does
Global Payroll doesn't change who your employees' legal employer is. That's still your own entity. What it changes is how payroll gets processed for them. Instead of managing separate local payroll providers, spreadsheets, and deadlines per country, you get:
One platform to manage payroll for every entity and country you operate in
A payroll calendar with clear milestones, so you always know what's due and when
Self-service tools to add pay elements, submit changes, and manage employees directly, with no waiting on a local provider
Remote People handling the payroll processing and compliance checks behind the scenes
Global Payroll vs. Employer of Record (EOR): the core difference
The two products solve different problems, and the difference comes down to one thing: who is the legal employer.
Global Payroll | Employer of Record (EOR) | |
Legal employer | Your own entity | Remote People |
Do you need your own entity in that country? | Yes | No |
Employment contracts | Managed by your company, outside the platform | Managed by Remote People |
Hiring process | Direct: you submit the employee's info, they activate their account, you link them to a payroll. No Remote People review step | A request Remote People reviews and processes (compliance checks, start-date rules, and more) |
Making payroll or compensation changes | Self-service. Edit directly in the employee's profile | Submitted as a request for Remote People to process |
Ending an employee's contract | You record it in the platform. Your entity handles the legal process | Remote People manages the formal offboarding process on your behalf |
Compliance responsibility | Shared. You remain the employer of record | Fully owned by Remote People |
Neither product is better. They solve for different setups. Global Payroll is built for companies that already have the legal infrastructure in place and want to simplify how payroll runs on top of it. EOR is built for companies that don't have that infrastructure yet.
Not sure which one fits your company? Speak with our team and we'll help you figure out whether Global Payroll or EOR, or a mix of both, is the right setup for how you operate today.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own legal entity to use Global Payroll?
Yes. Global Payroll is built for companies that already have an entity in the country they're hiring in. Your entity remains the legal employer throughout.
How long does it take to get set up?
Implementation typically takes 45 to 90 days per country, depending on local requirements and how complete your submitted information is. See "Getting Started with Global Payroll: Your Implementation Journey".
Can I add a new country or entity myself?
No. Entity and country setup is configured by Remote People during implementation and isn't self-service. If your setup looks incomplete or incorrect, contact us. See "Understanding Entities in Global Payroll".
Can my employees update their own details?
Only their email address. Any other change, such as pay, address, or bank details, needs to go through you as the employer, since employee self-edits don't update the actual payroll record. See "How Do I View My Global Payroll Profile?".
What if I miss a payroll deadline?
Some actions may no longer be possible for that cycle, and later milestones can shift back as a result. Contact us as early as possible if you expect a delay. See "What Happens If You Miss a Milestone Deadline?".
Can I run a payroll outside my regular calendar?
Yes, through an off-cycle payroll, requested via your Account Manager or by uploading a request in Global Payroll Documents. See "What Is an Off-Cycle Payroll and When Is It Used?".
Who do I contact if I have a question or run into an issue?
Your Remote People Account Manager is your main point of contact during implementation. Once live, reach out to us directly for platform issues, or use the Help option in the platform to search articles or submit a request.
Related articles
Understanding Entities in Global Payroll
Global Payroll Glossary of Terms