Application Guide

How to Apply for Payroll Specialist - Union Benefits

at Republic Services

🏢 About Republic Services

Republic Services is a leader in sustainable waste management with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and community partnerships. Their focus on creating a greener future through innovative recycling and waste solutions makes them an attractive employer for those passionate about corporate responsibility. The company's unionized workforce structure also indicates a supportive environment for employee rights and benefits administration.

About This Role

This Payroll Specialist role focuses specifically on union benefits administration within Republic Services' payroll operations, requiring expertise in handling complex union benefit calculations and compliance. The position serves as the frontline for resolving payroll inquiries from union-represented employees, making accuracy and timely resolution critical to maintaining positive labor relations. Success in this role directly impacts employee satisfaction and ensures proper administration of collectively bargained benefits.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves responding to 40-60 payroll inquiries from union employees regarding benefit deductions, wage calculations, and timekeeping issues, while maintaining detailed call logs in the case management system. You'll spend significant time investigating discrepancies in Workday, running payroll audits in Excel, and collaborating with HR benefits teams to ensure union contract compliance. The fast-paced environment requires constant prioritization between incoming calls, payroll processing deadlines, and follow-up on complex cases requiring additional research.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Republic Services Is Looking For

  • Has 1+ years of hands-on payroll experience, preferably with exposure to union benefits, multi-state payroll, or collective bargaining agreement administration
  • Thrives in high-volume customer service environments with proven ability to resolve 80%+ of payroll inquiries on first contact
  • Demonstrates intermediate Excel skills including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and data validation for payroll analysis and reporting
  • Has experience with Workday payroll modules or similar enterprise HCM systems, with ability to quickly learn Republic Services' specific configuration

📝 Tips for Applying to Republic Services

1

Highlight any experience with union benefits administration or working in unionized environments in your resume summary

2

Quantify your customer service metrics (e.g., 'resolved 95% of payroll inquiries on first call' or 'handled 50+ payroll cases daily')

3

Mention specific Workday payroll modules you've used or similar enterprise systems if you lack direct Workday experience

4

Include examples of using Excel for payroll tasks like auditing timesheets, calculating union dues, or creating payroll reports

5

Reference Republic Services' sustainability mission in your application materials to show cultural alignment

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with union payroll or benefits administration and understanding of collective bargaining agreements', 'Specific examples of resolving complex payroll inquiries in high-volume environments with first-call resolution', 'How your organizational skills help manage strict payroll deadlines while maintaining accuracy', "Interest in Republic Services' sustainability mission and how it aligns with your professional values"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Republic Services' union partnerships and labor relations approach (check their corporate responsibility reports)
  • → The company's specific sustainability initiatives like recycling programs and renewable energy projects
  • → Recent news about Republic Services' expansion or operational changes that might impact payroll
  • → Industry challenges in waste management payroll (e.g., DOT regulations, safety bonuses, union scale differences)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your process for investigating and resolving a complex union benefits payroll discrepancy
2 How do you prioritize and manage payroll inquiries during peak periods like payday or quarter-end?
3 Walk me through your experience with Workday or similar payroll systems for union benefit calculations
4 What Excel functions do you use most frequently for payroll analysis and reporting?
5 How would you explain a complex union benefit deduction to an employee who doesn't understand it?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without specific examples of handling high-volume payroll inquiries or customer service metrics
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of union payroll complexities or collective bargaining agreements
  • Submitting generic application materials that don't address Republic Services' specific needs for union benefits expertise

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Republic Services!

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