From Quartz.

A growing share of the U.S. workforce is favoring instant, Uber-like pay over biweekly checks, a shift with implications for hiring, retention, and payroll systems. Employers report rising demand for earned wage access and on-demand pay, with workers expecting Netflix-like payroll and 86% indicating preference for same-day pay. Adoption is spreading in retail and healthcare as instant pay is treated as a standard workplace benefit. Cited outcomes include lower turnover—up to 30%—and higher retention, with studies noting 13% gains and Rain data showing 49% higher retention among users. Challenges include legacy payroll limits, upgrade costs for small businesses, transfer fees, and potential impulsive spending. Integration with HRIS, timekeeping, and payroll, API-funded advances, guarded pilots, and AI-supported compliance are presented as current implementation paths.
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