Managing Interactions Between Element Assignment Overrides, Positive Input Entries, and Element Definitions
This topic discusses how the system manages competing element assignment and positive input entries for the same earnings or deductions.
Rules for Processing Competing Element Assignments and Positive Input Entries
In Global Payroll you can enter multiple element assignment and positive input rows for the same element within a single pay period slice or segment. To manage the competing instructions contained in these overrides, the system matches earning and deduction assignments with their corresponding positive input entries within the same slice or segment, and then determines which elements to resolve and which instructions to follow based on the processing rules described in this topic.
Note: The system treats element assignments and positive input entries as matching if they are for the same element and occur in the same slice or segment of the pay period.
The system observes these rules when processing competing element assignments and positive input entries:
|
Rule Number |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Rule 1: One Assignment to One or More Positive Input Overrides |
Within each slice or segment, when there are one or more positive input rows for an element with an action type of Override and a single matching element assignment, the system resolves the positive input and not the element assignment. If the positive input rows do not specify the values of all components of the calculation rule, the system retrieves the missing component values from the element assignment, and if it can't find them there, from the element's rule definition. |
|
Rule 2: Many Assignments to One or More Positive Input Overrides |
Within each slice or segment, when there are multiple element assignments for the same element, and at least one matching override row exists in positive input, the system ignores all element assignments and resolves only the positive input override(s). If the positive input overrides do not specify values for all the components of the calculation rule, the system goes to the element definition for the missing component values. Note: If an amount is entered in positive input, this amount overrides the individual component values in the element's rule definition. |
|
Rule 3: One Assignment to One or More Positive Input Additional Rows |
Within each slice or segment, when there are one or more positive input rows for an element with an action type of Additional, and a single matching element assignment, the system resolves each of the positive input rows and also resolves the element assignment. If the positive input rows do not specify the values of all components of the calculation rule, the system pulls component values from the element assignment, and if it can't find them there, from the element's rule definition. |
|
Rule 4: Many Assignments to One or More Positive Input Additional Rows |
Within each slice or segment, when there are multiple assignments of the same element, and one or more matching positive input rows with an action type of Additional:
Note: If amounts are entered at the positive input or element assignment levels, the system processes the amounts and ignores the individual component values. |
|
Rule 5: One or more assignments and a Resolve to Zero Row in Positive Input |
When there are one or more assignments of the same element and a matching Resolve to Zero entry in positive input, only the Resolve to Zero row is processed. All element assignment entries are ignored. Note: A positive input resolve to zero instance applies not only to elements assigned within the same segment or slice, but to all assignments of the same element in any other slice/segment. |
|
Rule 6: Element Assignment in Conjunction With Override and Resolve to Zero Rows in Positive Input |
If there is an element assignment, and in positive input, both a matching Override and a matching Resolve to Zero row, the system resolves the Override and Resolve to Zero rows, but not the element assignment. If the positive input Override does not specify the values of all components of the calculation rule, the system retrieves the missing component values from the element assignment, and if it can't find them there, from the element's rule definition. Note: A positive input resolve to zero instance applies not only to elements assigned within the same segment or slice, but to all assignments of the same element in any other slice/segment. Note: The Resolve to Zero action is per instance. |
|
Rule 7: Element Assignment in Conjunction With Additional and Resolve to Zero Rows in Positive Input |
If there is an element assignment, and in positive input, both a matching Additional and a matching Resolve to Zero row, the system resolves the Additional and Resolve to Zero rows, but not the element assignment. If the Additional positive input does not specify the values of all components of the calculation rule, the system retrieves the missing component values from the element assignment, and if it can't find them there, from the element's rule definition. Note: A positive input resolve to zero instance applies not only to elements assigned within the same segment or slice, but to all assignments of the same element in any other slice/segment. Note: The Resolve to Zero action is per instance. |
|
Rule 8: Element Assignment in Conjunction With Do Not Process Rows in Positive Input |
Within each slice or segment, if there is an element assignment and, in positive input, a matching Do Not Process row, the system does not resolve the element assignment. If there is positive input of any other kind in the same slice or segment (Resolve to Zero, Override, or Additional), the Do Not Process instructions prevent the system from resolving those as well. |
|
Rule 9: Apply Check Box deselected For an Element Assignment |
Within each slice or segment, when the Apply check box is deselected for an element assignment, this implies an action of Do Not Process, and the earning/deduction is not resolved. If there is a matching positive input entry with an action type of either Additional or Override, the system resolves the positive input, but not the rule definition because of the Do Not Process action on the element assignment. Note: Because of the Do Not Process instruction, the system cannot go to the element assignment to retrieve component values that are missing from positive input as it does in Rules 1 and 3 (above). Instead, it goes directly to the element's rule definition for missing values. |
|
Rule 10: Apply Check Box deselected For One of Many Element Assignments |
Within each slice or segment, when there are multiple assignments of the same element, and one instance has the Apply check box set to deselected while all other instances have the Apply check box selected, none of the instances will be processed. In other words, the do not apply action is at the element/slice level and negates the action of any other row. |
Important! Note that the rules outlined here apply per slice or segment, as element assignments interact with positive input entries only within the same slice or segment. If there is no segmentation or slicing of elements, the slice/segment begin and end dates can be viewed as equivalent to the begin and end dates of the period as a whole, and element assignments and positive input entries interact across the entire period. There is one exception to this rule, however: a Resolve to Zero entry in positive input cancels all assignments of the same element in any other segment or slice (in other words, a Resolve to Zero entry is not restricted to the segment/slice in which it occurs).
The following examples illustrate how the system resolves payee level overrides, and demonstrate interactions between element assignments and positive input entries in both segmented/sliced and unsegmented periods.
These examples are based on an earning element E1 with a calculation rule of Rate x Unit x Percent.
Note: These examples assume that there are no user field values associated with the assigned earnings or deductions. To see how the rules change when there are user fields, review the topic on multiple resolutions.
Example: Rule 1 (One Assignment to One or More Positive Input Overrides)
Assume that the following element assignment and positive input entries exist for earning element E1:
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment |
Positive Input (Override) |
Positive Input (Override) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
10 |
5 |
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
75 |
|
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 1, the system resolve E1 as follows:
1. 10 x 75 x 150% = 1125
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment |
Positive Input (Override) |
Positive Input (Override) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
||
|
Rate |
50 |
75 |
||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves the first instance of positive input and goes to either the element assignment or the rule definition for the missing component values.
2. 5 x 60 x 150% = 450
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment |
Positive Input (Override) |
Positive Input (Override) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
5 |
||
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves the second instance of positive input and goes to either the element assignment or the rule definition for the missing component values.
Example: Rule 2 (Many Assignments to One or More Positive Input Overrides)
Assume that the following element assignment and positive input entries exist for earning element E1:
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment (Instance 1) |
Element Assignment (Instance 2) |
Positive Input (Override) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
10 |
5 |
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
75 |
|
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 2, the system resolves E1 as follows:
5 x 50 x 150% = 375
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment (Instance 1) |
Element Assignment (Instance 2) |
Positive Input (Override) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
5 |
||
|
Rate |
50 |
|||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves the positive input entry and goes to the rule definition to obtain the missing component values, ignoring all earning/deduction assignments.
Example: Rule 2 (Many Assignments to One or More Positive Input Overrides—with Element Segmentation Due to Overrides)
Assume that the following element assignment and positive input entries exist for earning element E1, and that element segmentation occurs based on the begin and end dates of the assignments:
Note: You can set up the system to slice a pay period based on the begin and end dates of the overrides assigned to a payee on the Element Assignment by Payee (GP_ED_PYE) and Payee Assignment by Element components (GP_ED_ELEM). We discuss how to do this in the topic on trigger definitions.
See Setting Up Trigger Definitions.
Note: In this example, element assignment is abbreviated Assign, positive input is abbreviated PI, and the positive input action type of override is abbreviated Over.
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
Assign (Instance 2) Slice 2: June 16-30 |
PI (Over) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
PI (Over) Slice 2: June 16-30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
10 |
2 |
5 |
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
75 |
||
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 2, the system resolves E1 as follows:
1. In slice 1 (June 1-15): 2 x 60 x 150% = 180
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
Assign (Instance 2) Slice 2: June 16-30 |
PI (Over) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
PI (Over) Slice 2: June 16-30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
2 |
|||
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
|||
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 2, the system processes the positive input entry for slice 1 (June 1 - June 15) but not the corresponding element assignment. Because positive input overrides look to the element assignment within the same slice for missing component values, the positive input uses the Rate component (60) from the assignment in slice 1, and then retrieves the percent value (150) from the rule (as the element assignment in slice 1 does not specify a percentage).
2. In slice 2 (June 16-30): 5 x 75 x 150% = 562.50
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
Assign (Instance 2) Slice 2: June 16-30 |
PI (Over) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
PI (Over) Slice 2: June 16-30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
5 |
|||
|
Rate |
50 |
75 |
|||
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 2, the system processes the positive input entry for slice 2 (June 16-30) but not the corresponding element assignment. Because positive input overrides look to the element assignment within the same slice for missing component values, the positive input uses the Rate component (75) from the assignment in slice 2, and then retrieves the percent value (150) from the rule (as the element assignment in slice 2 does not specify a percentage).
Example: Rule 4 (Many Assignments to One or More Positive Input Additional Rows)
Assume that the following element assignment and positive input entries exist for earning element E1:
Note: In this example, element assignment is abbreviated Assign, positive input is abbreviated PI, and the positive input action type of additional is abbreviated Add.
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) |
Assign (Instance 2) |
PI (Add) |
PI (Add) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
10 |
2 |
5 |
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
75 |
||
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 4, the system resolves E1 as follows:
1. 10 x 60 x 150% = 900
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) |
Assign (Instance 2) |
PI (Add) |
PI (Add) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
|||
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
|||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves the first element assignment and goes to the rule definition to obtain missing component values.
2. 10 x 75 x 150% = 1125
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) |
Assign (Instance 2) |
PI (Add) |
PI (Add) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
|||
|
Rate |
50 |
75 |
|||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves the second element assignment and goes to the rule definition to obtain missing component values.
3. 2 x 50 x 150% = 150
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) |
Assign (Instance 2) |
PI (Add) |
PI (Add) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
2 |
|||
|
Rate |
50 |
||||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves the first instance of positive input and goes to the rule definition to obtain missing component values.
4. 5 x 50 x 150% = 375
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) |
Assign (Instance 2) |
PI (Add) |
PI (Add) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
5 |
|||
|
Rate |
50 |
||||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves the second instance of positive input and goes to the rule definition to obtain missing component values.
Example: Rule 5 (One or More Assignments and a Resolve to Zero Row in Positive Input)
Assume that the following element assignment and positive input entries exist for earning element E1:
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment (Instance 1) |
Element Assignment (Instance 2) |
Positive Input (Resolve to Zero) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
10 |
|
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
75 |
|
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 5, the system resolves E1 as follows:
E1 = 0
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment (Instance 1) |
Element Assignment (Instance 2) |
Positive Input (Resolve to Zero) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
0 |
||
|
Rate |
50 |
|||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves only the positive input Resolve to Zero instance and not the element assignments.
Example: Rule 5 (One or More Assignments and a Resolve to Zero Row in Positive Input—with Element Segmentation Due to Overrides)
looks good
Assume that the following element assignment and positive input entries exist for earning element E1, and that element segmentation occurs based on the begin and end dates of the assignments:
Note: You can set up the system to slice a pay period based on the begin and end dates of the overrides assigned to a payee on the Element Assignment by Payee (GP_ED_PYE) and Payee Assignment by Element components (GP_ED_ELEM). We discuss how to do this in the topic on trigger definitions.
See Setting Up Trigger Definitions.
Note: In this example, element assignment is abbreviated Assign, positive input is abbreviated PI, and the positive input action type of Resolve to Zero is abbreviated RTZ.
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
Assign (Instance 2) Slice 2: June 16-30 |
PI (RTZ) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
10 |
RTZ |
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
75 |
|
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 5, the system resolves E1 as follows:
1. In slice 1 (June 1-15): E1 = 0
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
Assign (Instance 2) Slice 2: June 16-30 |
PI (RTZ) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
0 |
||
|
Rate |
50 |
|||
|
Percent |
150 |
In slice 1, the system resolves only the positive input Resolve to Zero instance and not the element assignment.
2. In slice 2 (June 16-30): E1 = 0
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Assign (Instance 1) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
Assign (Instance 2) Slice 2: June 16-30 |
PI (Over) Slice 1: June 1-15 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
0 |
||
|
Rate |
50 |
|||
|
Percent |
150 |
In slice 2, the system ignores the element assignment entry for June 16-30 and processes only the resolve to zero instructions entered using positive input. This is because a positive input resolve to zero instance applies not only to elements assigned within the same segment or slice, but to all assignments of the same element in any other slice.
Example: Rule 6 (Element Assignment in Conjunction with Override and Resolve to Zero Rows in Positive Input)
Assume that the following element assignment and positive input entries exist for earning element E1:
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment |
Positive Input (Override) |
Positive Input (Resolve to Zero) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
2 |
|
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
||
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 6, the system resolves E1 as follows:
1. 2 x 60 x 150% =180
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment |
Positive Input (Override) |
Positive Input (Resolve to Zero) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
2 |
||
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves the positive input override and goes to both the element assignment and the rule definition for missing component values.
2. E1 = 0
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment |
Positive Input (Override) |
Positive Input (Resolve to Zero) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
|||
|
Rate |
||||
|
Percent |
The system resolves the positive input Resolve to Zero instance and not the element assignment.
Example: Rule 9 (Apply Check Box deselected For an Element Assignment)
Assume that the following element assignment and positive input entries exist for earning element E1:
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment (Apply = No) |
Positive Input (Additional) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
2 |
|
|
Rate |
50 |
||
|
Percent |
150 |
Applying Rule 7, the system resolves E1 as follows:
2 x 50 x 150% = 150
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment (Apply = No) |
Positive Input (Additional) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
2 |
|
|
Rate |
50 |
||
|
Percent |
150 |
The system resolves the positive input entry with the action type of Additional. There are no other resolutions of earning E1.
Example: Rule 10 (Apply Check Box deselected For One of Many Element Assignments)
Assume that the following element assignment and positive input entries exist for earning element E1:
|
Component |
Rule Definition |
Element Assignment (Apply = Yes) |
Element Assignment (Apply = No) |
Element Assignment (Apply = Yes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unit |
Payee Level |
10 |
2 |
15 |
|
Rate |
50 |
60 |
75 |
|
|
Percent |
150 |
50 |
Applying Rule 10, there are no resolutions of Earning E1.