on your payroll

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on your payroll" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who is employed and receiving a salary from a particular organization or individual. Example: "If you want to hire a consultant, make sure they are on your payroll to ensure they are fully committed to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"Having a guy on your payroll comes with a lot of responsibility," said Hardesh Chojher, general manager of marketing at Whirlpool in India.

The New York Times

Unless you're a guy running 10 vans with 20 blokes on your payroll, it's not the way to make a mint.

The Guardian

Sroka said: "Democrats want and the American people need a president who truly understands that the problem isn't that Wall Street firms or even Wall Street front groups like the Third Way have too little power in Washington, and that one very easy way to curb Wall Street's insatiable greed is to make sure that their former employees aren't on your payroll advising you".

The Guardian

For several categories of employees working for the wider public sector, the feeling of finding zero balance on your payroll account is all too familiar.

BBC

That means the return on your payroll taxes is shrinking.

Huffington Post

If you don't have too many people on your payroll..

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Your staging date – the day that auto-enrolment comes into effect – depends on the size of your payroll.

The Guardian

In fact, it's possible for employers to save enough on their share of your payroll taxes to pay the fees to the companies that administer the plans, though they'll still need to devote staff time to keeping track of it all.

The New York Times

It's crucial to start preparing for your staging date well ahead of time, as the auto-enrolment "to-do" list can take anywhere from six to 18 months, depending on how complicated your payroll is.

The Guardian

While you are on a company payroll, your payroll tax is 7.65% on the first $65,400 of income and 1.45% on all income above that figure.

Forbes

Click on "Save" to finish creating your payroll workbook.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing informal or less structured work arrangements, consider using alternatives like "working with" or "assisting" instead of "on your payroll".

Common error

Avoid using "on your payroll" to describe independent contractors or freelancers. This phrase typically implies a more formal employer-employee relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on your payroll" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a state of employment. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and suitable for use in written English. Examples from Ludwig show the phrase used in contexts where individuals or organizations are responsible for paying salaries or wages.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

13%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on your payroll" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone is employed by an organization and receives regular compensation. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly news, business, and general discussions about employment. While versatile, it's essential to avoid using it for independent contractors, as it implies a direct employer-employee relationship. When in doubt, alternatives like "employed by" or "under contract with" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working for

A general way of indicating employment.

on staff

Similar to "on your payroll", but emphasizes being part of the regular workforce.

employed by

A straightforward way of saying someone works for a specific entity.

on the company's books

Refers to being officially recorded as an employee, similar to being on the payroll.

receiving a salary from

Highlights the financial aspect of being employed.

being compensated by

Highlights the act of receiving payment for services rendered.

under contract with

Indicates a formal agreement for services, often for a specific period or project.

on the team

Emphasizes collaboration and being part of a group, relevant when focusing on a collective effort.

in the service of

Implies working for someone, often with a sense of loyalty or duty. Broader than just employment.

supported financially by

Focuses on the financial aspect of the relationship, useful when the context involves funding rather than traditional employment.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "on someone's payroll"?

Being "on someone's payroll" means that you are employed by them and receive a salary or wages in exchange for your work or services. It implies a formal employment relationship.

What are some alternatives to saying "on your payroll"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "employed by", "on staff", or "working for".

Is it appropriate to use "on your payroll" when referring to independent contractors?

Generally, it's more accurate to say someone is "under contract with" or "providing services for" rather than "on your payroll" if they are an independent contractor. The phrase "on your payroll" usually indicates a direct employment relationship.

How does being "on your payroll" differ from "receiving funding from"?

Being "on your payroll" implies employment in exchange for regular payment. "Receiving funding from" suggests financial support, which could be a grant, investment, or other form of monetary assistance without necessarily involving an employment relationship.