How often does HourSquare pay employees?

HourSquare supports weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly cycles per contract — you can run mixed cycles across the same company (monthly for salaried, weekly for hourly) and the payroll run handles both in one operation.

What's the most common payroll cycle in Europe?

Monthly, paid on the last working day or the 1st of the next month. Bi-weekly is rare in continental Europe; common in Ireland and the UK.

Can payroll cycles be different for different employees?

Yes, when the labor code allows. Common pattern: monthly for salaried staff, weekly or bi-weekly for hourly. The split must be stated in each labor contract.

How early should I announce a cycle change?

At least 60 days. Some jurisdictions require 30-90 days written notice. Combine the notice with a transition calculator so employees can see how their paychecks will land.

HR GLOSSARY · Compensation & payroll

Payroll cycle

Also known as: pay cycle, payroll frequency, pay frequency

A payroll cycle is the recurring period over which employee work is measured and paid — weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. The frequency is governed by local labor law minimums, by company cash-flow practice, and by employee preference (which often gets the loudest vote even when it shouldn't).

The payroll cycle is one of those decisions companies make once at founding and inherit forever. Switching cycles later is operationally expensive and emotionally fraught for employees, so getting it right early matters. The math behind the choice: more frequent cycles mean more administrative overhead and tighter cash-flow timing, but better employee experience and easier alignment with hourly-worker realities. Less frequent cycles are administratively cheaper but harder on entry-level staff who run paycheck-to-paycheck.

Common payroll cycles

Weekly: every Friday. 52 paychecks/year. Common for hourly + construction in the US/UK
Bi-weekly: every other week. 26 paychecks/year. Most common in the US for salaried staff
Semi-monthly: 1st and 15th (or 15th and last day). 24 paychecks/year. Common in finance + tech
Monthly: last working day. 12 paychecks/year. Standard across most of Europe and Georgia

Statutory minimums by region

Georgia: at least once per month (Labor Code Art. 31)
EU: most member states require monthly or bi-weekly; specifics vary
UK: no statutory minimum, but contracts must state the cycle
US: state-level rules; California requires semi-monthly minimum
Australia: weekly or fortnightly minimum under Fair Work Act

How to choose

Match the cycle to your workforce reality. Hourly + shift-based work usually wants weekly or bi-weekly so the wait isn't crushing. Salaried knowledge work tolerates monthly comfortably — employees usually save up, schedule recurring payments, and prefer the simplicity. Mixed workforces: pick the more frequent cycle so the hourly staff isn't penalized; the cost overhead of paying salaried employees more frequently is modest.

Switching cycles

Switching from monthly to bi-weekly is harder than it sounds. The first transition month involves either a shortened pay period (employees temporarily get less) or a bridge payment (cash-flow hit for the company). Either way, communicate at least 60 days in advance, provide a transition calculator, and offer payday-loan-style bridge options to anyone who can't absorb the gap.

Frequently asked questions

How often does HourSquare pay employees?: HourSquare supports weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly cycles per contract — you can run mixed cycles across the same company (monthly for salaried, weekly for hourly) and the payroll run handles both in one operation.
What's the most common payroll cycle in Europe?: Monthly, paid on the last working day or the 1st of the next month. Bi-weekly is rare in continental Europe; common in Ireland and the UK.
Can payroll cycles be different for different employees?: Yes, when the labor code allows. Common pattern: monthly for salaried staff, weekly or bi-weekly for hourly. The split must be stated in each labor contract.
How early should I announce a cycle change?: At least 60 days. Some jurisdictions require 30-90 days written notice. Combine the notice with a transition calculator so employees can see how their paychecks will land.