Payslip
is the statement employees receive each pay period showing gross pay, itemised deductions and net payment. Most countries mandate payslips and prescribe minimum contents; they are also the evidence base for permits, loans, audits and end-of-service calculations.
Why payslips matter beyond payday
Payslips are the workhorse document of employment compliance: immigration authorities request them for permit renewals, banks for lending, labour inspectors for wage checks, and gratuity or severance formulas are computed from what they show. Errors compound — a mis-stated basic salary quietly distorts every downstream calculation.
Formats are local: France’s dense statutory layout, Switzerland’s 13th-salary and source-tax lines, the Gulf’s basic-vs-allowance split. Electronic delivery is broadly accepted with employee consent and audit-proof storage.
FAQ
What must a payslip legally show?
Commonly: employer and employee identity, period, gross pay by element, each deduction with its basis, employer contributions in some states, net pay and payment date. Several countries add cumulative year-to-date figures and leave balances. The safe rule: local-format payslips from a local-competent payroll, not a home-office template.
How long must payslips be kept?
Retention rules for payroll records typically run 5–10 years depending on the country and document class. Employees should keep their own copies indefinitely — pension and gratuity claims decades later still start from old payslips.