GDPR

awkward Client

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with GDPR coming in, like many we have started using Iris openspace to transfer documents to clients, we've had a largely positive response from clients

one client however is being particulary awkward, he has a googledrive and wants us to use this. the client has employees and we've previosuly emailed directly payslips to them. client seems put out that they may have to gather payslips from openspace once a month

we've advised that we've taken advice from our professional body on what we should and shouldnt do and that we'll be using openspace and nothing else. we've highlighted the benefits

client is persiting on saying no. she works in IT and says her way is fine, but we see googledrive as being more for document storage than file transfer perhaps we're wrong?)

how would you proceed from here?

Replies (8)

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By WhichTyler
06th Jun 2018 16:57

Find a way for the client to dl all the payslips from openspace and let them put them on google drive?

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By Matrix
06th Jun 2018 16:59

You have to decide how much you value the relationship with the client and how much extra work it would be to do it their way. I would probably do what they want if it is that important to them.

At the end of the day there is nothing wrong with emailing payslips. Only a few clients sent me a password to protect them and one asked for it to be removed and couldn't even remember setting it. It is their employees' data after all. I was surprised how few wanted the password protection as I had anticipated putting a password for every client.

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By ireallyshouldknowthisbut
07th Jun 2018 08:56

Id say you were being more awkward than the client quite frankly.

You run a service business, your job is to provide a service

If you stop providing part of that service (sending payslips to their employees) and then impose a system they don't want to use based on what is in effect an over-zealous interpretation of some new legislation, i'd push back too.

The question you have as a business is if you want to have a "my way or the highway" approach which is more efficient your end, or if you want a "you ask, we supply" type bespoke service offering which is obviously harder to deliver.

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Replying to ireallyshouldknowthisbut:
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By mg200
07th Jun 2018 16:34

I have to agree.

As accountants we are great at getting carried away with new legislation and decide we have to go over the top to prove that we have complied. In actual fact, we could put the customer first.

It is probably driven by software companies trying to flog some new software using sales tactics based on fear.

You will probably find your client moves on when his mate down the pub tells him how his accountant sends payslips direct to employees.

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Teignmouth
By Paul Scholes
07th Jun 2018 10:29

I'm a bit in between here I've advocated getting the right balance between the needs of the firm and client (ie client is not always right) but, in this case, I'd say (per Matrix) you've opted for Openspace unnecessarily.

I now use Google Apps for everything, including holding all my client files on the G-drive and sharing data with them, only resorting to Openspace when it's convenient for electronic approval.

The added benefit of G-drive is that you can collaborate on files, so I and a client can be working in a "word" doc or spreadsheet at the same time, which saves having to make & send multi-versions. Here's their GDPR details: https://cloud.google.com/security/gdpr/

I also let all the payroll apps I use email the payslips direct and if a client wanted it another way then (like WhichTyler) I'd get them to login and deal with the payslips themselves.

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By bernard michael
07th Jun 2018 11:15

Seemples!!

Life's too short

Either co-operation or ex-client

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Replying to bernard michael:
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By meadowsaw227
07th Jun 2018 11:35

Definitely ditch the "person".

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Sarah Douglas - HouseTree Business Ltd
By sarah douglas
07th Jun 2018 12:40

I use a company and called My paye Ltd where all emails and attachments are encrypted along with payslips.
Each client and individual have their own encrypted password.

I use Dropbox and Google Drive for clients who want google both GDPR compliant and Accountancy Manager for the signing of documents.

It is not that difficult.

If you struggle with passwords why not use a password management system like the EU Version of Lastpass. We pay for the Enterprise version best money the practice ever spent. Allows you to share with clients who keep losing them. You can control who has access to passwords and double verification to your phone. You can even pick countries you are allowed to login in from for extra security.

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