if you use Zenefits for HR/Benefits, they will know everything they need to determine your deductions and taxes. This makes it simple or them to run everything for you in 'self-driving' mode. All the changes you make in Zenefits are reflected in your payroll automatically
The custom experience where you can go in and configure things specifically for payroll without making those changes in Zenefits, that's the one they're charging for
What's an example of something that would need to be custom? Does anyone know?
I'm also confused by that line, and the plans in general.
Yeah, I think it's a little confusing as well. But, basically if Zenefits manages all of your benefits, Self Driving Payroll will be your best bet. If you offer a benefit that Zenefits doesn't manage, you'll need to go Pro.
One example would be if your company is offering benefits not managed through Zenefits, such as an outside 401k plan or something. In those cases you'd want to make custom deductions for the 401k plan. (I don't work for Zenefits but I do work in the industry).
I'm confused as well. What if you have a part-time employee who doesn't have benefits? Or what if you're a small business that doesn't offer benefits?
Self Driving Payroll will work perfectly in this case. If you don't offer Benefits, use Zenefits for onboarding and keeping track of your employee info (also free), and have self driving payroll take care of your payroll for free.
Wondering if this would apply for things like hourly workers as well.
If you use Zenefits time tracking, Self Driving Payroll will automatically pay your hourly workers approved hours.
You might want to look at Visage (http://visagepayroll.com), which I think was first in the "free payroll" market; their revenue stream comes from Credit Karma-style financial product targeting, but all the payroll features are free. (No affiliation, but I've run into their CEO in the past and he's a very solid guy.)
"Includes everything from Self-Driving Mode plus the ability to directly customize deductions, earnings, and more."
I don't have any clue if the free plan would work for me or not.