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Where AI meets people in HR – Client Event 9 September
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Zalaris Finland
Simplify work life. Achieve more.
2026 is already well underway. In this issue we have brought together a number of key and timely topics - from AI and pay transparency to system modernisation and summer payroll.
contents
In this issue
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Changes to Zalaris ownership structure
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EU Pay Transparency Directive – where are Nordic organisations now?
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04
Payroll system infrastructure needs modernising too
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05
Payroll services during the summer holiday season
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Webinars, blogs & global newsletter
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Where AI meets people in HR – welcome to the Zalaris Client Event
The client event is an excellent opportunity to network with HR and payroll contacts from Zalaris Finland's client organisations, hear more about Zalaris process and system developments, and share your own experiences of working with Zalaris.
Save-the-date invitations have already been sent — please let us know if for any reason you have not received yours.
Zalaris Client Event 2026Horisontin Huippu, Kalasatama, Helsinki — Helsinki's highest meeting and event venue
Author
Jarno Alastalo
Techno-philosopher · Author · Founder of Suomi24
Jarno explores the frontier where technology collides with humanity. His new book Black Box was published in early 2026.
We have stepped into the world's largest AI laboratory. Companies are automating everything they can, as fast as they can. Machines are now taking over the part of work we recognised as work. Routines, repetition, answers. When these disappear, a question remains that no one has truly prepared for: what is left for the human? Two paths lie ahead. On the first, we become the dumb users of intelligent machines. On the second, machines are used as an extension of our own thinking. The most valuable skill of the future is not speeding up processes — it is human slowness, the ability to meet another person in a way no machine can. Which path is yours?
Jarno Alastalo
Techno-philosopher · Author · Founder of Suomi24
Company news
Changes to Zalaris ownership structure
The changes to Zalaris's ownership structure are progressing as planned, with the goal of strengthening our ability to serve you even better. The partnership with Norvestor supports long-term development, brings additional resources, and enables us to continue developing our services and expertise.
Current work is focused on integration planning and ensuring business continuity. The aim is for the transition to bring our clients improved service, a broader knowledge base, and greater development resources.
From a client perspective, business continues as normal Contracts, services, and contact persons remain unchanged. Service quality and delivery capability stay strong — our focus remains on day-to-day collaboration and client work.
- Contracts, services, and contact persons remain unchanged
- Service quality and delivery capability stay strong
- The aim is to strengthen long-term growth and development
We thank you for your trust and are happy to discuss this topic further whenever needed.
Changes to Zalaris ownership structure
The changes to Zalaris's ownership structure are progressing as planned, with the goal of strengthening our ability to serve you even better. The partnership with Norvestor supports long-term development, brings additional resources, and enables us to continue developing our services and expertise.
Current work is focused on integration planning and ensuring business continuity. The aim is for the transition to bring our clients improved service, a broader knowledge base, and greater development resources.
From a client perspective, business continues as normal Contracts, services, and contact persons remain unchanged. Service quality and delivery capability stay strong — our focus remains on day-to-day collaboration and client work.
- Contracts, services, and contact persons remain unchanged
- Service quality and delivery capability stay strong
- The aim is to strengthen long-term growth and development
We thank you for your trust and are happy to discuss this topic further whenever needed.
EU Pay Transparency Directive – where are Nordic organisations now?
The EU Pay Transparency Directive (EU 2023/970) introduces significant new requirements for employers regarding transparency in pay practices, gender pay gap reporting, and employees' right to access pay information. The Directive must be transposed into national legislation by 7 June 2026, with the first reporting obligations applying to large employers from 2027 onwards.
Nordic Pulse Survey 2026
Zalaris's survey, conducted in early 2026, mapped the readiness of 21 Nordic organisations using SAP SuccessFactors for Directive implementation. Respondents were primarily from large organisations and included key HR, payroll, reward, and HR technology professionals.
0%
Well acquainted with the Directive's requirements
0%
Have already started preparations
0%
Consider their readiness complete and tested
Pay transparency requires more than just reporting
The research shows that successful implementation requires:
- A clear job architecture and grading framework that supports comparison of equal-value work
- Consistent pay structures and comparable data across countries and business units
- Integration with recruitment, pay processes, and HR's day-to-day operating models
- A strong governance model, clear ownership, and management commitment
Status in Finland
The legislative changes required by the Pay Transparency Directive in Finland are delayed from the original schedule. Based on information available at the time of publication (Ministry of Social Affairs and Health), the government bill is expected to be brought before parliament in week 25. Zalaris is monitoring the situation closely and will keep clients informed of any developments.
Looking ahead
Over the next 12–18 months, success will depend on moving from planning to practical implementation: getting data and systems into shape, testing processes, and embedding pay transparency into normal HR operations — even while national regulation continues to evolve.
Payroll system infrastructure needs modernising too
The Zalaris PeopleHub platform has been part of the SAP ecosystem since 2001. While the service has evolved significantly over 25+ years, client interfaces and integrations have largely stayed the same. The move to SAP RISE marks the first major upgrade in years, delivered in a controlled way to ensure long-term continuity. This modernisation aims to secure future service stability while updating key areas such as portals, mobile access, SSO, VPN, SFTP/RFC connections, and web services.
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2025 - 2026
Platform modernisation is being carried out in phases. The majority of systems have already been migrated to the new environment — the production system will be migrated at the end of June.
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Coming weeks
SSO, VPN, and SFTP functions will be finalised. We ask all clients to prioritise this work where necessary.
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2027
SAP S/4HANA upgrade completed. SAP support for the platform secured through to 2040.
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2040
Long-term support confirmed. A secure, modern, and durable service environment for years to come.
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Our goal
To make the transition as smooth as possible and ensure that you have a secure, modern, and long-lasting service environment in the years ahead.
Payroll services during the summer holiday season
Intro
The summer holiday season is approaching, and in many organisations this also affects payroll administration schedules and practices. Below are the key points to keep in mind as the holiday period draws near.
Submission schedules for payroll data
During the summer, holidays on both the client side and among Zalaris specialists may affect processing times. We recommend submitting payroll data well in advance, but no later than within the agreed deadlines.
Important: public holidays
Public holidays during the summer tighten payroll run schedules further. It is especially important to ensure that payroll data is submitted on time so that pay processing runs smoothly.
Cover arrangements during annual leave
If approvers or contact persons in your organisation are on holiday, we recommend confirming cover arrangements and the necessary authorisations well in advance to avoid delays in payroll processing. Your Zalaris contact person will inform you of their holiday cover's details well ahead of their leave for any urgent situations.
Change requests
During June and July, our primary focus will be on ensuring smooth pay processing — we will not generally be taking large new change requests into production. Change requests will continue to be accepted as normal, but implementation will primarily begin in late summer or at the start of autumn. Any mandatory legislative or regulatory changes will be handled separately.
Recommendation
Submit any upcoming change requirements to us well before the summer period so they can be scheduled appropriately.
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