Editorial Policy
How we research, write, and maintain content on Payroll Decoded.
Our Editorial Mission
Every page on Payroll Decoded is built around one goal: give workers and employers accurate, plain-English information about payroll rules. We prioritize clarity over completeness, accuracy over comprehensiveness, and utility over engagement metrics.
Primary Sources First
Our content is built from primary legal and regulatory sources wherever possible:
- The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and U.S. Department of Labor publications
- State department of labor websites and official wage order documents
- Official state minimum wage schedules and annual adjustment notices
- IRS publications for tax-related payroll topics
We do not rely on third-party payroll software documentation, HR blog posts, or legal summaries as primary sources. Where secondary sources are used, they are cited.
Accuracy Verification
Calculator logic is manually verified against worked examples before publication. Minimum wage figures are checked against official state schedules. When a rule is complex (such as California's multiple overtime tiers or Colorado's wage-conditional daily OT), we document the exact logic and link to the source.
Update Policy
We review and update pages when:
- State minimum wages increase (typically January 1 each year, sometimes July 1)
- Federal overtime thresholds or exemption rules change
- A page receives a correction request that checks out
- Our own internal review identifies an outdated figure
Updated pages show a review date. Older pages that have not required changes may not reflect a recent review date even if the content remains current.
No Sponsored Content
Payroll Decoded does not accept payment from payroll processors, HR software companies, or employers to influence how topics are covered. We do not publish sponsored articles, paid reviews, or affiliate-driven recommendations disguised as editorial content.
If we ever include advertising, it will be clearly labeled and will not influence calculator logic or editorial conclusions.
Corrections
We take corrections seriously. If you spot an error in a wage figure, calculator result, or explanation, please contact us. We will investigate and update promptly if the correction is warranted.
Limitations
Our content covers general federal and state rules. It does not cover local ordinances (cities or counties that have wage rates above the state minimum), industry-specific exceptions, or individual employment contracts. We note these limitations where relevant.