Up Next @ Work, Episode 36 with Pete A. Tiliakos of Payroll Influences

In this episode of Up Next @ Work, Kate Achille returns to talk to industry analyst Pete A. Tiliakos about why payroll is so often misunderstood, undervalued, and left out of strategic conversations - and what Pete is doing to try to shift that narrative. Pete shares how his career journey, from auditing payroll data in the U.S. Marine Corps to leading HR transformations at major organizations, shaped his mission to elevate the profession.

The conversation also dives into the 2026 Payroll Profession Confidence Index (PPCI), an open-source research initiative designed to give payroll professionals a collective voice.

Key highlights include:

• Why payroll data can be an organization's most valuable source of business insight
• The case for bringing payroll closer to comp and benefits to create a more holistic pay experience
• What the PPCI is measuring and why it matters

To learn more about Pete's work, visit payrollinfluences.com, connect with him on LinkedIn, listen to his podcast HR & Payroll 2.0, and take 10 minutes to complete the 2026 Payroll Profession Confidence Index.