JP7784902B2 - Payroll advance system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a salary advance payment system, a program related to the salary advance payment system, a salary advance payment method, etc.

There are well-known payroll advance systems (such as the "Advance Pay" system offered by the former Tokyo Tomin Bank, Ltd.) that allow employees of a company to withdraw a portion of their compensation before the pay date. Employees who use payroll advance systems have the advantage of being able to use the compensation they receive before payday to cover unexpected expenses, and employers have the advantage of being able to increase loyalty to the company and prevent employees from leaving.

Initially, payroll advance systems were implemented using bank computers managed by banks, but advances in communications technology and amendments to regulatory business laws have led to the proposal of systems implemented by businesses other than banks (Patent Documents 1 and 2). These systems, in order to avoid the burden of installing a system on banks and the employers having to deposit the advance payroll amount in the bank, describe how businesses other than banks calculate the payment amount and salary deduction amount for employees who use the advance payment system, and then pay the amount used to employees by transferring the amount to their account or charging electronic money.

Patent No. 6249506 Patent No. 6349450

However, the systems described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 aim to reduce the burden on both banks and companies by setting a usage limit for each company and using an intermediary service provider that can perform some of the functions previously performed by companies and banks in traditional advance payment systems, thereby reducing the burden on both parties. In the above patent documents, by setting a usage limit for each company, workers can use the system within this limit, but of course they cannot use it beyond the limit. Therefore, if a large number of system users flood in during a certain period, such as the end of the month, excessive load is placed on the system, and exceeding the usage limit causes inconvenience to users. Furthermore, the inventors have discovered a new issue for employers: if many workers are able to freely use the system within the usage limit, it becomes more difficult to allocate funds within the limit. Furthermore, setting a usage limit for each user can lead to use by a select number of highly paid employees, which can undermine the original purpose of the advance payment system, which is to receive compensation for work flexibly as needed, which is problematic.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a salary advance system that does not place an excessive burden on service providers and does not complicate salary management for each worker.

In light of the above issues, and after extensive research, the inventor discovered that the above issues could be avoided by allowing the service provider to set a limit on the number of workers who can receive advance salary payments for each employer in a salary advance system, and thus completed the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention provides the following in summary.
[1] A salary advance system in which a service provider advances salary to workers on behalf of at least one employer,
a request processing unit that receives salary advance request information from the worker, the salary advance request information including a salary advance request amount;
a salary advance transfer data creation unit that creates salary advance transfer data for paying the salary advance payment amount calculated based on the attendance data, the salary advance request amount, and the salary advance available amount for each worker to the worker;
A salary advance payment transfer instruction unit that instructs the employer to transfer the salary advance payment amount to the employee's account based on the salary advance payment transfer data;
a salary advance payment data sending unit that sends salary advance payment data including the salary advance payment amount paid to the worker to the employer;
and a service provider sets an upper limit on the number of workers who can receive advance salary payments for each employer.
[2] A salary advance system as described in [1], in which the amount available for salary advance payment is the amount obtained by multiplying the labor compensation amount calculated from attendance data for the period from a specified date to the date the salary advance request information was obtained by a specified coefficient, minus the amount of salary advance payment already paid to the worker, and the amount available for salary advance payment and the requested salary advance payment amount are compared, and if the requested salary advance payment amount is smaller, the requested salary advance payment amount is calculated as the salary advance payment amount.
[3] A salary advance system according to [1] or [2], in which the request processing unit, salary advance transfer data creation unit, salary advance transfer instruction unit, and salary advance payment data transmission unit are provided on the business server.
[4] The salary advance payment system according to [3], wherein the attendance data is managed by an attendance information management server.
[5] A salary advance payment system as described in [4], in which salary advance payment request information is sent from a worker terminal, and the worker terminal, business server, and attendance information management server are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a network.
[6] A program for a payroll advance system in which a service provider makes payroll advance payments to workers on behalf of at least one employer,
obtaining payroll advance request information from the worker, the payroll advance request information including a payroll advance request amount;
A step of creating salary advance transfer data for paying the salary advance payment amount calculated based on the attendance data, the salary advance request amount, and the salary advance available amount for each worker to the worker;
A step of instructing the employee to transfer the advance salary amount to the employee's account on behalf of the employer based on the advance salary transfer data;
sending salary advance payment data to the employer, the salary advance payment data including the amount of the salary advance payment paid to the worker;
and the program is characterized by not exceeding the upper limit set by the service provider on the number of workers who can receive advances of wages for each employer.

This invention makes it possible to provide a salary advance system that does not place an excessive burden on service providers and does not complicate salary management for each worker. Furthermore, this invention allows user companies to determine whether or not to use the advance payment system based on the employment status of their employees. For example, the advance payment system may be available only to full-time employees, or only to part-time and casual employees. Alternatively, it may be available to a limited number of full-time employees or a subset of part-time and casual employees. Employees can also be allowed to use the system temporarily. This allows user companies to obtain data that objectively assesses the economic situation of their employees. Employees eligible for advance payments are guaranteed a certain amount of access, so they can avoid being denied access or having their access reduced when they try to use the advance payment system. Furthermore, by defining the number of users and their attributes, it is possible to avoid use by only high-paying users, thereby achieving an appropriate distribution of labor value.

1 shows a conceptual diagram of the payroll advance system described herein. FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a user server. 1 shows an example of a configuration diagram of a user server. FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of an attendance information management server. FIG. 2 shows an example of a configuration diagram of an attendance information management server. FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a business server. 1 shows an example of a configuration diagram of a business operator server. 1 shows an example of a functional block diagram of a worker terminal. 1 shows an example of a configuration diagram of a worker terminal. 1 illustrates an example of the payroll advance system described herein. 1 illustrates an example of the payroll advance system described herein. 1 illustrates an example of the payroll advance system described herein. 10 shows an example of a processing flowchart of a user server, a time attendance information management server, and a business server. 10 shows an example of a processing flowchart of a user server, a time attendance information management server, and a business server. 10 shows an example of a processing flow of a business server. 1 shows an example of the process flow of a salary advance application. 10 shows an example of a login screen displayed on a worker terminal. 10 shows an example of a top screen displayed on a worker terminal. 10 shows an example of a salary advance request screen displayed on a worker terminal.

Configuration of the payroll advance system described herein

In one embodiment of the present invention,
A payroll advance system in which a service provider advances payroll to workers on behalf of at least one employer,
a request processing unit that receives salary advance request information from the worker, the salary advance request information including a salary advance request amount;
a salary advance transfer data creation unit that creates salary advance transfer data for paying the salary advance payment amount calculated based on the attendance data, the salary advance request amount, and the salary advance available amount for each worker to the worker;
a salary advance transfer instruction unit that instructs the transfer of the salary advance payment amount to the employee's account on behalf of the employer based on the salary advance transfer data;
a salary advance payment data sending unit that sends salary advance payment data including the salary advance payment amount paid to the worker to the employer;
The present invention provides a salary advance system characterized in that the service provider sets an upper limit on the number of workers who can receive salary advances for each employer.

The term "service provider" used in this specification refers to a business that advances wages to workers on behalf of employers. As long as it is capable of implementing the system of the present invention, the type of business is not limited, and it may be a bank or a non-bank business. In this invention, a "service provider" may be an entity whose business is regulated by industry laws such as the Money Lending Business Act, but also includes businesses that implement the present invention under the capital control or chain of command of a business designated by industry laws, etc.

As used herein, an "employer" refers to a person who conducts business by receiving labor from a worker and who pays the worker in return for that labor. Employers include, but are not limited to, legal entities such as corporations, organizations, unions, and other unincorporated organizations, as well as natural persons such as sole proprietors.

The term "worker" as used herein is not particularly limited, as long as it refers to a person who receives compensation for work, and includes not only employed persons, but also those who are contracted to work, those who provide labor on a dispatched basis, those who provide labor on a part-time basis, those who provide labor as daily laborers, and those who provide labor as a part-timer. Furthermore, the type of labor provided is not important. Examples of workers include, but are not limited to, corporate sales, personal sales, route sales/rounder, telephone appointment maker (tele-appointment), sales assistant, planner/advisor/consultant, dispatch coordinator, sales executive candidate, general office work, accounting work, sales office work, reception/secretary, slip organization/data entry, telephone response/call center, human resources/general affairs/legal affairs, planning/marketing/public relations, insurance/finance-related, apparel/shoe store clerk, convenience store clerk, supermarket/department store clerk, electronics retailer clerk, mobile phone shop/mobile phone sales clerk, interior/miscellaneous goods sales clerk, drugstore/cosmetics sales/registered salesperson, bookstore/rental/CD shop clerk, home improvement/car supply store clerk, accessory/jewelry clerk, flower shop clerk, pet shop clerk, store manager/manager (sales), store manager, family restaurant/restaurant clerk, fast food clerk, izakaya/dining bar clerk, cafe/coffee shop clerk, ramen/udon/soba store clerk, yakiniku/shabu-shabu restaurant Store clerk, sushi/Japanese cuisine/set meal store clerk, food court clerk, bakery/cake shop/sweets shop clerk, home delivery/delivery staff, bento/takeout food clerk, cook/cooking assistant, hall staff, kitchen staff, dishwashing/dishwashing staff, tasting/sampling staff, store manager/manager (food and beverage/food), showroom/real estate customer service, gas station staff, dry cleaner clerk, delivery staff, rental car/dealer/used car sales clerk, travel agency/tour conductor, funeral/ceremony staff, wedding hall/bridal staff, newspaper store clerk/delivery staff, moving staff, car wash/pit service/tire change staff, security guard/guard, traffic control, cleaner/room making staff, building/house cleaning staff, janitor, meter reader, sampling distributor, front desk/reception (service), store manager/manager (service/security/cleaning), karaoke clerk, pachinko staff, movie theater/game center/bowling alley staff, hot spring/public bath/super public bath staff, golf course staff/reception/maintenance staff Staff, gym and pool staff, hotel, inn and pension reception, bathroom management, cleaning staff, cram school instructors and private tutors, nursery school teachers and kindergarten teachers, instructors and coaches, exam supervisors, barbers, barber assistants, hair and makeup, makeup, kimono dressing and stylists, hair and makeup, makeup, kimono dressing, beauty salons and nail salons, estheticians, relaxation therapists, front desk and reception staff (barbers and beauty salons), store managers and managers (barbers and beauty salons), assistants (barbers and beauty salons), nurses, licensed practical nurses Nurse, midwife, public health nurse, medical office/receptionist, medical technician, care worker, care manager, care worker/helper, care office worker, dental hygienist/dental assistant, pharmacist, chiropractor/judo therapist, nutritionist/registered dietitian, facility cook/cooking assistant, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, child guidance worker/after-school child support worker, counselor, small/medium vehicle driver, large vehicle driver, taxi/hire/bus driver, motorcycle courier, driver's assistant, dispatcher/roll call worker, shuttle driver, delivery/delivery worker, newspaper delivery/milk delivery, assembly/inspection/sorting/ Picking and packing staff, food manufacturing, processing, inspection and packing staff, machining and machine operators, forklift, rigging and crane operators, machine maintenance staff, quality control, production control and process management staff, equipment maintenance, equipment management and inspection staff, people who do piecework and work from home, line operators, CAD/CAM operators, welders, system engineers (SE) and programmers, user support staff, web designers, designers and illustrators, DTP operators, These include design and drafting staff, printing and bookbinding workers, proofreading and editing staff, writers, reporters and camera crews, media personnel, cooks, tax accountants and accountants, interpreters and translators, groomers, research and development staff, masseuses, acupuncturists and moxibustion practitioners, mechanics, police officers and Self-Defense Force members, repair and maintenance staff, painters, welders and sheet metal workers, electrical, water, gas and air conditioning workers, landscaping workers, architects, heavy equipment operators, site supervisors, carpenters, scaffolders and craftsmen, people involved in agriculture, forestry, fishing and livestock farming, decontamination workers, etc.

As used herein, "salary advance" means paying a portion of the compensation for work performed over a specified period to an employee prior to the payday date specified in an employment contract or other agreement with an employer. The form of salary payment is not particularly limited, and may be transfer to a specified account, electronic money, virtual currency, or a combination of these.

As used herein, "payroll advance request amount" means the amount of payroll advance that a worker requests to be paid.

The term "salary advance request information" as used herein refers to information that includes at least the requested salary advance amount. In addition to the requested salary advance amount, "salary advance request information" may also include information such as worker identification information, desired salary advance date and time, and account information for receiving the salary advance. Furthermore, if part or all of the requested salary advance amount can be received in electronic money or virtual currency, it may also include information regarding the ratio of electronic money to virtual currency to be received.

The "worker identification information" referred to in this specification is not particularly limited as long as it is information that can identify a worker as an individual. "Worker identification information" may be, for example, a My Number, employee number, email address, phone number of a worker's smartphone, or a combination of these. It may also be an identification ID arbitrarily set by the employer and/or service provider based on this information.

The "request processing unit" described in this specification first receives the salary advance request information from the worker terminal and stores it on a server within the service provider. If necessary, it then performs processing such as data conversion on all or part of the salary advance request information in order to perform other information processing.

The term "attendance data" used in this specification refers to data including employer identification information, employee identification information, the number of working days, working hours, and days of absence. In this invention, "attendance data" is received and stored by the "attendance information management server" described below, converted to implement the present invention, and transmitted to another department as appropriate.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a salary advance system as described herein is provided in which attendance data is managed by an attendance information management server as described below.

The term "available salary advance amount" used herein refers to the amount available for salary advance payment, as determined by either the service provider, employer, or worker, or by agreement between them. This amount is preferably set for each worker. In the salary advance system described herein, the service provider or employer may set the available salary advance amount for each worker, or the service provider or employer may set the available salary advance amount for each user. The available salary advance amount for each worker may be set by the employer or service provider, taking into consideration the employment status (full-time employee, part-time employee, etc.), attendance status, years of service, etc., of the worker requesting the salary advance. For example, a maximum usage rate (e.g., 50%) of the labor compensation may be set for each worker based on their employment status (full-time employee, part-time employee, etc.), and the available salary advance amount for each worker may be calculated by multiplying the labor compensation amount by the maximum rate. The available salary advance amount for each user may also be set taking into consideration the employer's capital, sales, balance sheet, income statement, profit margin, number of employees, etc.

The "salary advance payment amount" referred to in this specification refers to the amount paid to a worker in response to a salary advance request from the worker. The "salary advance payment amount" may be calculated based on attendance data, the salary advance request amount, and the available salary advance amount for each worker. The salary advance payment amount may be calculated, for example, by the salary advance payment amount calculation unit described below.

The "salary advance payment calculation unit" described in this specification has the function of calculating the salary advance payment amount.

The "salary advance transfer data creation unit" described in this specification has the function of creating salary advance transfer data for transferring salary advance payments to workers.

The "salary advance payment transfer instruction unit" described in this specification instructs the transfer of the salary advance payment amount to the worker's account based on the salary advance payment transfer data.

The "salary advance payment data transmission unit" described in this specification transmits salary advance payment data, including the amount of salary advance payment paid to the worker, to the employer.

The term "business server" used in this specification refers to a server managed by a service provider, and may be one or more servers. In the case of multiple servers, they may be connected to each other so that they can communicate via a network. The business server may include a user data input unit, a user table storage unit, a payroll calculation unit, a request processing unit, a request table storage unit, a maximum number of users determination unit, a payroll advance amount comparison unit, an approval unit, a payroll advance transfer data creation unit, a payroll advance transfer instruction unit, a payroll advance payment data transmission unit, and a user information storage unit.

The term "employee server" used in this specification refers to a server managed by the employer, and may be one or more servers. In the case of multiple servers, they may be connected to each other so that they can communicate via a network. The employer server may include an attendance data input/output unit and an attendance data storage unit. If necessary, the employer server may also include a payroll calculation unit, an hourly wage unit table input/output unit, an hourly wage unit table storage unit, etc.

The term "attendance information management server" used in this specification refers to a server that manages employee attendance data, and may be one or more servers. In the case of multiple servers, they may be connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a network. The attendance information management server may or may not be system-linked with the employer server and/or business server via a network. The attendance information management server may include an attendance data input/output unit and an attendance data storage unit. The attendance information management server may also include a payroll calculation unit, an hourly wage unit table input/output unit, an hourly wage unit table storage unit, etc., as necessary.

The "approval unit" described herein approves salary advance requests from worker terminals. For example, the amount of labor compensation or accumulated salary balance (or the amount multiplied by a predetermined coefficient) at the time of the request is used as the available salary advance amount, and this available salary advance amount is compared with the requested amount. If the requested amount is within the available salary advance amount, the request is approved. Although not particularly important to the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which only a portion of the requested amount is approved. On the other hand, if the requested amount exceeds the available salary advance amount, the request is rejected. If the approval unit rejects a request, the request processing unit may send a notification to that effect to the worker terminal. When approving a request, the approval unit may refer to the accumulated salary balance managed in a request table to determine whether to approve or reject the request. In the system of the present invention, the approval history by the approval unit can be managed on the business or user's server. Storing such history information as data may be used to credit those who use the advance payment system of the present invention.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the available salary advance amount is calculated by multiplying the labor compensation amount calculated from attendance data for the period from a specified date to the date the salary advance request information was obtained by a specified coefficient, and then subtracting the salary advance amount already paid to the worker, if any. If the result of this subtraction is not negative, the request is approved in whole or in part. In other words, the available salary advance amount is compared with the requested salary advance amount, and if the requested salary advance amount is smaller, the requested salary advance amount is calculated as the salary advance payment amount.

The term "user data" used in this specification refers to data including attendance data, hourly wage unit rates, etc. Therefore, user data may include various information for identifying workers (e.g., the worker's name, address, age, bank name, branch name, account number, etc.), attendance data such as each worker's working days and working hours, as well as each worker's hourly wage rate, labor compensation, and advance payable amount.

The "user data input unit" described in this specification inputs user data received from an employer server, attendance information management server, etc., as a user table. Therefore, the user table may include various information for identifying the worker (e.g., the worker's name, address, age, bank name, branch name, account number, etc.), attendance data such as each worker's workdays and working hours, as well as each worker's hourly wage, labor compensation amount, and advance salary payable amount. The hourly wage for each worker may be managed and stored in the hourly wage table storage unit along with various information for identifying the worker.

The "user table storage unit" described in this specification stores the user table.

The "request table storage unit" described in this specification stores a request table related to advance salary request information sent from a worker terminal. The request table may include information identifying the worker who made the request, the date of the request, an identifier (ID) identifying the request, the requested amount, etc. This data may be recorded and managed if approved by the approval unit.

The "user information storage unit" described in this specification stores information about users. In the present invention, the user is often a company. When the user is a company, information about the user includes capital, number of employees, asset information, and financial information. Preferably, the information stored in the user information storage unit includes the upper limit on the number of users per user set by the service provider.

The "payroll calculation unit" described in this specification calculates the daily wage for each worker and the cumulative salary from the specified start date using the hourly wage rate for each worker managed in the hourly wage rate table and the working days and working hours for each worker managed in the user table. The daily wage and cumulative salary for each worker calculated by the payroll calculation unit may be recorded and managed in the user table. The payroll calculation unit may also refer to the user table and request table to calculate the cumulative salary balance by deducting the amount already paid in advance from the cumulative salary, and record this in this request table.

The "hourly wage unit price table" described in this specification may also include various information for identifying workers, such as the worker's name, address, age, bank name, branch name, account number, etc.

The "hourly wage unit table input/output unit" described in this specification inputs and/or outputs the hourly wage unit table.

The "hourly wage unit price table storage unit" described in this specification stores hourly wage unit price tables for each worker.

The "attendance data input/output unit" described in this specification inputs employee attendance data, i.e., the employee's basic information and working status. The attendance data input/output unit may also output attendance data to an attendance information management server and/or a business server at a predetermined timing.

The "attendance data storage unit" described in this specification stores the entered attendance data.

The "user limit determination unit" described in this specification determines whether the number of users of the salary advance payment system within a specified period is within the user limit set for each user. If the user limit determination unit determines that the number of users is within the user limit, it may send the determination result to the salary advance payment amount comparison unit. On the other hand, if the user limit determination unit determines that the number of users exceeds the user limit, it may send the determination result to the approval unit. The user limit may be set based on the total number of employees, such as full-time employees and part-time workers, at the employer. The user limit may also be set for each employment category (full-time employee, part-time worker, etc.) at the employer. Note that the user limit may be counted as "1 person" even if the same worker uses the system repeatedly, or "3 people" if the same worker uses the system three times (i.e., counted as the total number of users within the specified period). For example, if an employer has 1,000 full-time employees and 500 part-time employees (including day laborers, etc.) (when the total number of employees at the employer is 1,500), the service provider may set the maximum number of users for that employer at 300 based on the total number of employees. In this case, all employees at that employer, whether full-time employees or part-time employees, can use the salary advance system until the number of users reaches 300 within a specified period. Alternatively, if an employer has 1,000 full-time employees and 500 part-time employees (including day laborers, etc.) (when the total number of employees at the employer is 1,500), the service provider may set the maximum number of users for that employer by employment category, such as 200 for full-time employees and 100 for part-time employees, etc. This setting allows part-time employees, who often have relatively low wages, to use the system with peace of mind. For example, for full-time employees, the maximum number of users can be further subdivided and set at 120 for employees without a title, 40 for section chiefs, 30 for department managers, and 10 for department managers and above. By setting the limit in this way, it is possible to strike a balance between the number of users for full-time employees with titles (department managers, department managers, etc.), who often have a relatively comfortable living budget, and the number of users for employees without titles.

The "salary advance amount comparison unit" described in this specification, when it receives a determination result from the maximum number of users determination unit that the number of users is within the maximum number of users, refers to a user table or the like, compares the amount of available salary advance at the time of the request with the requested salary advance amount, and compares whether the requested salary advance amount is within the range of available salary advance amounts. If the salary advance amount comparison unit determines that the requested salary advance amount is within the range of available salary advance amounts, it may send a determination result to that effect to the approval unit. Furthermore, if the salary advance amount comparison unit determines that the requested salary advance amount exceeds the available salary advance amount, it may send a determination result to that effect to the approval unit.

The term "worker terminal" as used in this specification is not particularly limited as long as it is a terminal used by a worker, and examples include smartphones, tablet terminals, and personal computers (PCs). An application program (payroll advance application) for requesting advance payment of wages from the business operator's server may be installed on the worker terminal. The payroll advance application program may be downloaded, for example, from the business operator's server or a homepage (HP) managed by the service provider.

The "communications network" described in this specification may consist of one or more networks. The communications network may be a dedicated line or a public line, and may be wired or wireless. Part or all of the communications network may be a telephone line, the Internet, a VPN, etc.

In another embodiment of the present invention,
A payroll advance system program in which a service provider makes payroll advance payments to workers on behalf of at least one employer,
obtaining payroll advance request information from the worker, the payroll advance request information including a payroll advance request amount;
A step of creating salary advance transfer data for paying the salary advance payment amount calculated based on the attendance data, the salary advance request amount, and the salary advance available amount for each worker to the worker;
A step of instructing the employee to transfer the advance salary amount to the employee's account on behalf of the employer based on the advance salary transfer data;
sending salary advance payment data to the employer, the salary advance payment data including the amount of the salary advance payment paid to the worker;
and a program characterized in that the upper limit set by the service provider on the number of workers who can receive advance payment of wages for each employer is not exceeded.

In another embodiment of the present invention,
A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for a salary advance system in which a service provider makes salary advance payments to workers on behalf of at least one employer,
obtaining payroll advance request information from the worker, the payroll advance request information including a payroll advance request amount;
A step of creating salary advance transfer data for paying the salary advance payment amount calculated based on the attendance data, the salary advance request amount, and the salary advance available amount for each worker to the worker;
A step of instructing the employee to transfer the advance salary amount to the employee's account on behalf of the employer based on the advance salary transfer data;
sending salary advance payment data to the employer, the salary advance payment data including the amount of the salary advance payment paid to the worker;
The present invention provides a recording medium for executing a program characterized by not exceeding the upper limit set by the service provider on the number of workers who can receive advance payment of wages for each employer.

In another embodiment of the present invention,
There is a method by which a service provider advances wages to workers on behalf of at least one employer,
obtaining payroll advance request information from the worker, the payroll advance request information including a payroll advance request amount;
A step of creating salary advance transfer data for paying the salary advance payment amount calculated based on the attendance data, the salary advance request amount, and the salary advance available amount for each worker to the worker;
A step of instructing the employee to transfer the advance salary amount to the employee's account on behalf of the employer based on the advance salary transfer data;
sending salary advance payment data to the employer, the salary advance payment data including the amount of the salary advance payment paid to the worker;
and further comprising a step of setting an upper limit on the number of workers who can receive salary advances for each employer by the service provider.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a salary advance system in an embodiment. The salary advance system 1 comprises an employer server 10 provided at the employer, an employer server 12 provided at the service provider, an attendance information management server 14 provided at the service provider, the employer or its affiliates, etc., and an employee terminal 16 operated by the employee, all of which are connected to a communications network 20 so that data can be sent and received. In addition, if the account through which salary advances are paid to employees is a bank account, a bank server 18 provided at the bank where the bank account is held may also be connected to the communications network 20.

The employer server 10 collects and stores worker attribute data and data related to working conditions from the company's internal systems. In the present invention, the employer server 10 transmits information for the business operator server 12 to carry out the necessary processing when an operation to request a salary advance is performed from the worker terminal 16, as necessary. A publicly known attendance management application may be installed on the employer server 10. The employer server 10 may transmit the worker's working conditions as attendance data to the attendance information management server 14 via the communication network 20 at a predetermined timing.

The attendance information management server 14 accumulates and manages attendance data received from the user server 10 via the communication network 20. The attendance information management server 14 may also transmit the attendance data to the business server 12 via the communication network 20 at a predetermined timing. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, attendance data is managed by the attendance information management server.

In the present invention, the worker terminal 16 functions as a client terminal. The worker terminal 16 is communicatively connected to the business server 12, the employer server 10, and, if necessary, the bank server 18 via the network 20. The worker terminal 16 downloads an application equipped with a UI (User Interface) described below to use the system of the present invention.

The business operator's server 12 receives a request for advance salary payment from the worker terminal 16 via the communication network 20 and executes the process of transferring the money to the worker's account. In response to a request for advance salary payment from the worker terminal 16, the business operator's server 12 can instruct the worker to transfer part or all of the worker's labor compensation to the worker. The transfer may be a cash transfer to the account, a charge to electronic money, a transfer as virtual currency, or a combination of these.

Figure 2A shows an example of a functional block diagram of the user server 10. The user server 10 has, as its functional blocks, an attendance data input/output unit 100, an attendance data storage unit 101, an hourly wage unit price table input/output unit 102, and an hourly wage unit price table storage unit 103.

The attendance data input/output unit 100 inputs the employee's attendance data, i.e., the employee's working status linked to basic information, and stores it in the attendance data storage unit 101. The attendance data input/output unit 100 can output the attendance data to the attendance information management server 14 and/or the business operator server 12 at a predetermined timing.

The attendance data storage unit 101 sequentially stores the attendance data of workers. Attendance data is stored for each worker. Data stored in the attendance data storage unit 101 includes the worker's working hours, labor hours, hourly wage, and basic wage. Instead of working hours or labor hours, the number of working days, number of working weeks, or number of working months may also be used.

The hourly wage unit table input/output unit 102 inputs the worker's hourly wage unit table. The hourly wage unit table input/output unit 102 can output the hourly wage unit table to the attendance information management server 14 or the business operator server 12 at a predetermined timing.

The hourly wage unit price table storage unit 103 stores the hourly wage unit price table.

Figure 2B shows an example of a configuration block diagram of the user server 10. The user server 10 includes a CPU 10a, ROM 10b, RAM 10c, input/output interface (I/F) 10d, storage device 10e, communication interface (I/F) 10f, input device 10g, and display device 10h, which are connected by a bus.

One or more CPUs 10a can read processing programs stored in ROM 10b or storage device 10e and use RAM 10c as working memory to execute various processes. These processes include input/output and storage of attendance data.

The input/output I/F 10d is connected to the input device 10g and display device 10h, allowing data to be input and output.

The storage device 10e is composed of an HDD, SSD, etc., and is capable of storing various types of data. The storage device 10e constitutes the attendance data storage unit 101 and the hourly wage unit price table storage unit 103 in Figure 2A.

The communication I/F 10f transmits and receives data to and from the business operator server 12, attendance information management server 14, worker terminal 16, and/or bank server 18 via the communication network 20. The communication I/F 10f constitutes the attendance data input/output unit 100 and the hourly wage unit price table input/output unit 102 in Figure 2A.

Figure 3A shows an example of a functional block diagram of the attendance information management server 14. The attendance information management server 14 has the following functional blocks: an attendance data input/output unit 140, an attendance data storage unit 141, an hourly wage unit table storage unit 142, an hourly wage unit table input/output unit 143, and a payroll calculation unit 144.

The attendance data input/output unit 140 inputs attendance data from the user server 10. The attendance data input/output unit 140 can output the attendance data to the business operator server 12 at a predetermined timing.

The attendance data storage unit 141 sequentially stores employee attendance data. The attendance data is not particularly limited as long as it does not interfere with the implementation of the present invention, but it stores working hours or working hours in a table in units of hours. The units of time may be daily, weekly, or monthly.

The hourly wage unit price table input/output unit 142 inputs the hourly wage unit price table from the user server 10. The hourly wage unit price table input/output unit 142 may also output the hourly wage unit price table to the business operator server 14.

The hourly wage unit table storage unit 143 stores an hourly wage unit table for each worker. In the present invention, the hourly wage unit table may contain information related to salary or remuneration associated with a worker.

The payroll calculation unit 144 calculates and transmits the amount of compensation for labor (cumulative pay) from the specified start date for each worker based on the input attendance data and the hourly wage table stored in the hourly wage table storage unit 143.

Figure 3B shows an example of a configuration block diagram of the attendance information management server 14. The attendance information management server 14 includes a CPU 14a, ROM 14b, RAM 14c, input/output interface (I/F) 14d, storage device 14e, communication interface (I/F) 14f, input device 14g, and display device 14h, which are connected by a bus.

One or more CPUs 14a can read processing programs stored in ROM 14b or storage device 14e and execute various processes using RAM 14c as working memory. These processes include input/output and storage of attendance data, input/output and storage of hourly wage unit price tables, and salary calculation for each worker. The CPU 14a constitutes the salary calculation unit 144 in Figure 3A.

The input/output I/F 14d is connected to the input device 14g and display device 14h, allowing data to be input and output.

The storage device 14e is composed of an HDD, SSD, etc., and is capable of storing various data. The storage device 14e constitutes the attendance data storage unit 141 and the hourly wage unit price table storage unit 143 in Figure 3A.

The communication I/F 14f transmits and receives data to and from the employer server 10, business operator server 12, worker terminal 16, and/or bank server 18 via the communication network 20. The communication I/F 14f constitutes the attendance data input/output unit 140 and the hourly wage unit price table input/output unit 142 in Figure 3A.

Figure 4A shows an example of a functional block diagram of the business operator server 12. The business operator server 12 includes, as functional blocks, a user data input unit 120, a user table storage unit 121, a payroll calculation unit 122, a request processing unit 123, a request table storage unit 124, a user limit number determination unit 125, a salary advance amount comparison unit 126, an approval unit 127, a salary advance transfer data creation unit 128, a salary advance transfer instruction unit 129, and a salary advance payment data transmission unit 130. Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the request processing unit, salary advance transfer data creation unit, salary advance transfer instruction unit, and salary advance payment data transmission unit are provided in the business operator server.

The user data input unit 120 inputs user data, including attendance data and hourly wage unit tables received from the employer server 10, attendance information management server 14, etc., as a user table. Therefore, the user table may include various information for identifying the worker (e.g., the worker's name, address, age, bank name, branch name, account number, etc.), attendance data such as each worker's workdays and working hours, as well as each worker's hourly wage, labor compensation amount, and advance salary payable amount. The hourly wage for each worker may be managed and stored in an hourly wage unit table storage unit (not shown) along with various information for identifying the worker.

The user table storage unit 121 stores the user table.

The payroll calculation unit 122 can calculate the amount of labor compensation (cumulative salary) for each worker from the specified start date based on the input attendance data and/or by referencing data stored in the user table storage unit 121. The payroll calculation unit 122 may also calculate the amount of salary advances available based on the amount of labor compensation. For example, if an employer or service provider sets 70% of the labor compensation as the amount of salary advances available for Worker A, the payroll calculation unit 122 may calculate the amount of salary advances available for that worker by multiplying the amount of labor compensation by 0.7. The payroll calculation unit 122 may also refer to the user table, request table, etc. to calculate the cumulative amount of salary advances already paid to workers, and calculate the amount by subtracting the cumulative amount of salary advances already paid from the labor compensation. Each amount calculated in this manner may be stored in the user table or request table.

The request processing unit 123 inputs and processes salary advance request information from the worker terminal 16. The request processing unit 123 may compare the worker identification information included in the salary advance request information with worker information pre-recorded on the employer server to determine whether the request is from a worker who is eligible for salary advance payment.

The request table storage unit 124 stores a request table related to advance salary request information entered from the worker terminal 16. The request table includes information identifying the worker who made the request, the request date, an identifier (ID) identifying the request, the requested amount, etc. This data may be recorded and managed if approved by the approval unit 127.

The maximum number of users determination unit 125 determines whether the number of users of the salary advance system within a specified period is within the maximum number of users set for each user. If the maximum number of users determination unit 126 determines that the number is within the maximum number of users, it sends the determination result to the salary advance amount comparison unit 126. On the other hand, if the maximum number of users determination unit 125 determines that the number of users has exceeded the maximum number of users, it sends the determination result to the approval unit 127.

When the salary advance amount comparison unit 126 receives a determination result from the maximum number of users determination unit 125 that the number of users is within the maximum number of users, it references a user table, etc., compares the amount of available salary advance at the time of the request with the requested salary advance amount, and compares whether the requested salary advance amount is within the range of available salary advance amounts. If the salary advance amount comparison unit 126 determines that the requested salary advance amount is within the range of available salary advance amounts, it transmits a determination result to that effect to the approval unit 127. Furthermore, if the salary advance amount comparison unit 126 determines that the requested salary advance amount exceeds the available salary advance amount, it transmits a determination result to that effect to the approval unit 127.

The approval unit 127 approves or rejects a salary advance request from the worker terminal 16. Specifically, if the approval unit 127 receives a determination result from the salary advance comparison unit 126 that the requested salary advance amount is within the available salary advance amount, it approves the request. On the other hand, if the approval unit 127 receives a determination result from the maximum number of users determination unit 125 that the maximum number of users has been exceeded, or if the approval unit 127 receives a determination result from the salary advance amount comparison unit 126 that the requested salary advance amount exceeds the available salary advance amount, it rejects the request. Alternatively, if the approval unit 127 receives a determination result from the salary advance amount comparison unit 126 that the requested salary advance amount exceeds the available salary advance amount, it may approve the request on the condition that the available salary advance amount (or an amount within that range) is paid.

If the request is rejected by the approval unit 127, the request processing unit 123 sends a message to that effect to the worker terminal 16.

When the approval unit 127 approves a request, it records and updates the request amount of the newly approved salary advance request information in the request table stored in the request table storage unit 124. The approval unit 127 also instructs the salary advance transfer data creation unit 128 to create transfer data based on the request amount of the approved salary advance request information.

If approved by the approval unit 127, the salary advance transfer data creation unit 128 creates salary advance transfer data for transferring the requested amount (or the available salary advance amount or an amount within that range) to the worker's account.

The advance salary transfer instruction unit 129 issues advance salary transfer instructions to a bank server, etc., based on the advance salary transfer data, so that a specified amount is transferred to an account (e.g., a bank account) designated in advance by the worker.

The salary advance payment data transmission unit 130 transmits salary advance payment data to the employer server 10, including the amount of salary advance payment already paid for each worker within a specified period. The salary advance payment data may be, for example, an invoice. The employer may settle the account with a service provider or the like based on the received salary advance payment data.

Figure 4B shows an example of a configuration block diagram of the business operator server 12. The business operator server 12 includes a CPU 12a, ROM 12b, RAM 12c, input/output interface (I/F) 12d, storage device 12e, communication interface (I/F) 12f, input device 12g, and display device 12h, which are connected by a bus.

One or more CPUs 12a can read processing programs stored in ROM 12b or storage device 12e and execute various processes using RAM 12c as working memory. These processes include inputting and storing user data, calculating the salary of each worker, receiving and processing salary advance request information, determining the maximum number of users, comparing the requested amount with the amount of salary advance already paid, approving (or rejecting) the request, creating transfer data, and transferring the money to a bank account. The CPU 12a constitutes the payroll calculation unit 122, request processing unit 123, maximum number of users determination unit 125, salary advance amount comparison unit 126, approval unit 127, and salary advance transfer data creation unit 128 in Figure 4A.

The input/output I/F 12d is connected to the input device 12g and display device 12h, allowing data to be input and output.

The storage device 12e is composed of an HDD, SSD, etc., and is capable of storing various data. The storage device 12e constitutes the user table storage unit 121 and request table storage unit 124 in Figure 4A.

The communication I/F 12f transmits and receives data to and from the employer server 10, attendance information management server 14, employee terminal 16, and/or bank server 18 via the communication network 20. The communication I/F 14f constitutes the user data input unit 120 in Figure 4A.

Figure 5A shows a functional block diagram of the worker terminal 16. The worker terminal 16 has the following functional blocks: a salary advance application 161, an operation unit 162, a display unit 163, and a memory unit 164.

The salary advance application 161 is a functional block realized by executing an installed salary advance application program, and includes a processing module. Furthermore, if the salary advance is paid using electronic money or the like, the salary advance application unit 161 may also include an electronic money management module, etc., as necessary. The electronic money management module may be provided separately from the processing module, or may be integrated into the processing module.

The processing module is a module that manages the entire salary advance payment process, displays an operation screen (UI screen) on the display unit 163, accepts requests from users (workers), and sends salary advance payment request information to the business operator server 12 via the communication network 20. It also receives data from the business operator server 12 and displays it on the display unit 163.

The operation unit 162 is composed of a touch panel, keyboard, mouse, etc., and is operated by the user (worker) to input data.

The display unit 163 is composed of an LCD panel, an organic EL panel, etc., and displays various screens.

The memory unit 164 stores user information.

Figure 5B shows a block diagram of the worker terminal 16. The worker terminal 16 is a smartphone, tablet terminal, PC, etc., and has the same configuration as these information terminals. The worker terminal 16 includes a CPU 165, ROM 166, RAM 167, an operation unit 162, a display unit 163, a communication I/F 168, and a memory unit 164. The CPU 165 performs various processes by executing processing programs stored in the ROM 166 or the memory unit 164. The processing programs include a salary advance application program.

The communication I/F 168 transmits and receives data to and from the business server 12 via the communication network 20. That is, it sends a request for advance pay to the business server 12.

Data Processing Flow Next, the flow of data processing in this embodiment will be described.

Figure 6A shows a timeline of one embodiment of data flow in a payroll advance system, from when a worker provides work, to when they request a payroll advance, to when they receive the payroll advance in cash or other form.

[Provision of Labor]
A worker who is a user of the worker terminal 16 provides labor to an employer based on a labor contract or the like (a. Labor provision). The employer server 10 managed by the employer inputs and stores the worker's attendance data.

[Send attendance data]
The user server 10 transmits attendance data to the system vendor that manages the attendance information management server 14 (b. Attendance data). The timing of transmission is arbitrary, and may be daily or at regular intervals. The attendance information management server 10 transmits the attendance data received from the user server 10 to the business operator server 12 (c. System collaboration). Note that, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 6A, the business operator server 12 may receive attendance data directly from the user server 10 without going through the attendance information management server 14.

[Salary Advance Request]
The worker operates the worker terminal 16 to send a salary advance request to the business server 12 (d. Salary Advance Application). When the request processing unit 123 receives the request, the business server 12 references a user table, etc., and determines whether the number of users of the salary advance system per employer (the number of workers using the salary advance system per employer) within a specified period (e.g., one day, several days, one week, several weeks, one month, several months) is within the upper limit of the number of users. If the business server 12 determines that the upper limit of users has been exceeded, it rejects the worker's salary advance request. If the business server 12 determines that the number of users is within the upper limit of the number of users, it references the worker's user table to confirm the worker's available salary advance amount on the day the request was received, and determines whether to approve the salary advance in accordance with the salary advance request.

[Bank transfer]
If the business entity server 12 determines that the advance salary payment is permitted, it creates transfer data for transferring cash and transfers the amount to the worker's bank account (account B at bank B) (e. Transfer of advance salary payment amount). Note that although the embodiment in Fig. 6A illustrates a case where cash is transferred to a bank account, electronic money or virtual currency may also be transferred to a corresponding account.

[Send advance salary payment data]
The service provider transmits information including the amount of the advance salary paid to the worker to the employer as advance salary payment data (f. advance salary payment data).

[Liquidation]
Based on the received salary advance payment data, the user transfers the amount including the salary advance payment amount to the service provider (g. Settlement). The amount transferred at this time may include not only the salary advance payment amount but also the salary advance system usage fee and transfer administrative fee.

[Salary balance transfer]
On a designated payday, the employer transfers the remaining labor compensation (salary balance) after deducting the worker's advance salary payment to the worker's bank account (j. Transfer of salary balance). The amount transferred may be the amount after deducting service fees, bank transfer fees, etc. Note that while the embodiment in Figure 6A illustrates a mode in which cash is transferred to a bank account, electronic money or virtual currency may also be transferred to the corresponding account.

Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the advance salary request information is sent from the worker terminal, and the worker terminal, business server, and attendance information management server are connected to each other via a network so that they can communicate with each other.

As shown in Figure 6B, the service provider may pay a guarantee fee to a claim guarantor, thereby guaranteeing the claim for the amount claimed from the user. With a claim guarantor, the service provider does not need to make credit assessments for users. In other words, with a claim guarantor, the service provider does not need to set a usage limit for each user (company), and can only manage the maximum number of users. Examples of claim guarantors include insurance companies and banks.

Figure 6C is a timeline illustrating another embodiment of data flow in a payroll advance system, from when a worker provides work, to when they request a payroll advance, to when they receive the payroll advance in cash or other form.

[Provision of Labor]
A worker who is a user of the worker terminal 16 provides labor to an employer based on a labor contract or the like (a. Labor provision). The employer server 10 managed by the employer inputs and stores the worker's attendance data.

[Send attendance data]
The user server 10 transmits attendance data to the system vendor that manages the attendance information management server 14 (b. Attendance data). The timing of transmission is arbitrary, and may be daily or at regular intervals. The attendance information management server 10 transmits the attendance data received from the user server 10 to the business operator server 12 (c. System collaboration). Note that, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 6C, the business operator server 12 may receive attendance data directly from the user server 10 without going through the attendance information management server 14.

[Salary Advance Request]
The worker operates the worker terminal 16 to send a salary advance request to the business server 12 (d. Salary Advance Application). The business server 12 references a user table, etc., and determines whether the number of users of the salary advance system per employer (the number of workers using the salary advance system per employer) within a specified period (e.g., one day, several days, one week, several weeks, one month, several months) is within the upper limit of the number of users. If the business server 12 determines that the number of users exceeds the upper limit, it rejects the worker's salary advance request. If the business server 12 determines that the number of users is within the upper limit, upon receiving the request at the request processing unit 123, it references the worker's user table to confirm the worker's available salary advance amount on the day the request was received, and determines whether to approve the salary advance request.

[Bank transfer]
If the business entity server 12 determines that the advance salary payment is permitted, it creates transfer data for transferring cash and transfers the amount to the worker's bank account (account B at bank B) (e. Transfer of advance salary payment amount). Note that although the embodiment in Fig. 6C illustrates a case where cash is transferred to a bank account, electronic money or virtual currency may also be transferred to a corresponding account.

[Send advance salary payment data]
The service provider transmits information including the advance salary amount paid to the worker to the employer as advance salary payment data (f.-1 advance salary payment data). The service provider then bills the employer for an amount including the advance salary payment amount (f.-2). The amount billed at this time may include not only the advance salary payment amount but also the fee for using the advance salary payment system and bank transfer handling fees.

[Settlement between the user and the service provider]
Based on the received salary advance payment data, the user pays the amount including the salary advance payment amount to the service provider by card (g. Card payment). The amount paid at this time may include not only the salary advance payment amount but also the salary advance system usage fee and bank transfer administrative fee.

[Settlement between service provider and card company]
The service provider bills the card company for the amount of advance salary payment, etc., paid by the user via card (h. Billing). The card company settles the amount to the service provider based on the bill (i. Settlement).

[Salary balance transfer]
On a designated payday, the employer transfers the remaining labor compensation (salary balance) after deducting the worker's advance salary payment to the worker's bank account (j. Transfer of salary balance). The amount transferred may be the amount after deducting service fees, bank transfer fees, etc. Note that while the embodiment in Figure 6C illustrates a mode in which cash is transferred to a bank account, electronic money or virtual currency may also be transferred to the corresponding account.

[Settlement between the card company and the user]
The card company bills the user for the advance salary payment amount etc. that has been settled to the service provider (k. Billing). The user settles with the card company based on this bill (l. Settlement).

Next, we will explain in more detail the processing on the employer server 10, attendance information management server 14, business operator server 12, and employee terminal 16.

Figures 7A and 7B show processing flowcharts for the user server 10, attendance information management server 14, and business operator server 12. Processing in the user server 10 is realized by the CPU 10a executing a processing program stored in ROM 10b or storage device 10e. Processing in the attendance information management server 14 is realized by the CPU 14a executing a processing program stored in ROM 14b or storage device 14e. Processing in the business operator server 12 is realized by the CPU 12a executing a processing program stored in ROM 12b or storage device 12e.

The employer registers worker information on the business operator server 12 (S01). Worker information may include, for example, the worker's name, employee number, email address, and phone number of the worker's smartphone, etc., or an identification ID arbitrarily set by the employer and/or service provider based on this information. The employer or service provider sets the amount available for advance salary payments for each worker as needed, and registers this on the business operator server 12 (S02). The service provider sets an upper limit on the number of users of the advance salary payment system described in this specification for each user, and registers this on the business operator server.

The employer server 10 transmits attendance data to the business operator server 12 at a predetermined timing (S04-1). Alternatively, the employer server 10 transmits attendance data to the attendance information management server 14 at a predetermined timing (S04-2), and the attendance information management server 14 transmits the attendance data to the business operator server 12 at a predetermined timing (S04-3). The business operator server 12 may calculate the labor compensation amount for each worker at that time based on the received attendance data.

Alternatively, the employer server 10 may calculate the labor compensation amount at that time for each worker based on the attendance data and transmit labor compensation data including the calculated labor compensation amount to the business server 12 (S05-1). Alternatively, the attendance information management server 14 may calculate the labor compensation amount at that time for each worker based on the attendance data received from the employer server 10 (S05-2) and transmit labor compensation data including the calculated labor compensation amount to the business server 12 (S05-3).

Figure 8 shows the processing flow after the business operator server 12 receives attendance data or labor compensation data and before sending advance salary payment data to the employer.

When the business operator server 12 receives attendance data from the employer server or attendance information management server (S101), it calculates the labor compensation amount for each worker at that time based on the attendance data (S102). Alternatively, the business operator server may receive labor compensation data including the labor compensation amount calculated by the employer server or attendance information management server from the employer server or attendance information management server (S103).

The business operator's server 12 determines whether a salary advance request has been received from the worker terminal 16 (S104). If a salary advance request has not been received, steps S101 to S103 are repeated to sequentially calculate or receive the labor compensation amount for each worker.

When the business operator server 12 receives a salary advance request from the worker terminal 16, it determines whether the maximum number of users of the salary advance system 1 for each user within a specified period has been exceeded (S105). If the business operator server 12 determines that the maximum number of users has been exceeded, it sends a notification to the worker terminal 16 indicating that the maximum number of users has been exceeded (S109) and terminates processing.

If the business operator server 12 determines that the maximum number of users has not been exceeded (that is, that the number of users is within the maximum number of users), it determines whether the amount of the advance salary request from the worker is within the range of the worker's available advance salary amount. The available advance salary amount is calculated based on the available advance salary amount for each worker, which is set arbitrarily by the employer or service provider, and the amount of advance salary payment already paid to the worker.

The amount available for salary advance payments for each worker may be set by the employer or service provider, taking into consideration the employment category (full-time employee, part-time employee, etc.), attendance status, years of service, etc. of the worker requesting a salary advance. For example, an upper limit rate (e.g., 50%) may be set for each worker depending on the employment category (full-time employee, part-time employee, etc.), and the amount available for salary advance payments may be determined by multiplying the amount of compensation for labor by the upper limit rate. If the amount available for salary advance payments has not been set by the employer or service provider, the amount available for salary advance payments may be determined as the amount of compensation for labor.

The business operator server 12 compares the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of salary advance already paid to the worker from the amount available for salary advances for each worker with the amount of salary advance request, and if the amount of salary advance request is larger, it may reject the worker's advance request. Alternatively, if the amount of salary advance request is larger, it may use the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of salary advance already paid to the worker from the amount available for salary advances for each worker as the amount of salary advance payment. On the other hand, if the amount of salary advance request is smaller, the business operator server 12 may use the amount of salary advance request as the amount of salary advance payment.

If the business server 12 determines that the salary advance request amount from the worker is within the worker's available salary advance amount and sets the salary advance payment amount to the salary advance request amount, or if the business server 12 determines that the salary advance request amount from the worker's available salary advance amount and sets the available salary advance payment amount to the salary advance payment amount, it creates transfer data corresponding to the salary advance payment amount and transfers it to the worker's account (e.g., bank account) (S107). At this time, a specified fee may be deducted from the amount transferred. The business server 12 deducts the transferred amount from the labor compensation amount (cumulative salary) and executes the salary balance update process. Then, on a specified day, the business server 12 outputs salary advance payment data including the salary advance payment amount for each worker within a specified period to the employer server 10 (S108).

Figure 9 shows a processing flowchart of the worker terminal 16. This process is realized by the CPU 165 executing the salary advance payment application program stored in the ROM 166 or memory unit 164.

When a worker operates the worker terminal 16 to launch the salary advance application program (S201), the processing module of the salary advance application first displays a login screen on the display unit 163 (S202). On this login screen, the worker enters a company code (a code for each user), a user code (a code for each worker), etc. The processing module sends the entered information to the business server 12. The business server 12 compares the entered data with a user table, etc., determines whether to allow login, and notifies the worker terminal 16 of the result of the determination.

Next, the processing module determines whether to permit the login (S203). When the worker terminal 16 receives a notification from the business provider server 12 that the login is not permitted, it terminates the processing. When the worker terminal 16 receives a notification from the business provider server 12 that the login is permitted, it determines that the login is OK and displays the top screen on the display unit 163 (S204). On the top screen, the worker can input information such as whether to apply for a salary advance (salary advance request) or to inquire about the available salary advance amount. The processing module transmits the input information to the business provider server 12, thereby transmitting the request content (salary advance request or inquiry about the available salary advance amount, etc.) (S205). Upon receiving the request, the business provider server 12 notifies the worker terminal 16 that a screen corresponding to the request will be displayed. Upon receiving a notification from the business provider server 12 that a screen corresponding to the request will be displayed, the worker terminal 16 displays the salary advance request screen on the display unit 163 (S206). On the salary advance request screen, the worker can input the salary advance request amount, etc. The processing module transmits the contents of the salary advance request by sending the input information to the business server 12 (S207). When the business server 12 receives the salary advance request, it determines whether the maximum number of users of the salary advance system 1 per user within a specified period has been exceeded. When the worker terminal 16 receives a notification from the business server 12 that the maximum number of users has been exceeded, it terminates processing. If the business server 12 determines that the maximum number of users is within the limit, it references the user table and obtains the available salary advance amount based on the worker's current labor compensation amount, the available salary advance amount, and/or the salary advance amount already paid to the worker, determines whether to allow the salary advance, and transmits the determination result to the worker terminal 16.

If it is determined that the salary advance payment is permitted, the business server 12 creates transfer data according to the salary advance payment amount and executes the transfer process to the worker's bank account. If the transfer is by electronic money, the electronic money may be charged. Therefore, if the transfer is by cash, the worker can withdraw the amount transferred to their bank account as appropriate. On the other hand, if it is determined that the salary advance payment is rejected, the screen returns to the salary advance payment request screen.

The following provides a specific explanation of the screen (UI screen) displayed on the display unit 163 of the worker terminal 16. Note that a smartphone is used as the worker terminal 16 and a touch panel is used as the display unit 163, but these are not limited to these.

Figure 10A shows an example of the login screen displayed in S202. Input fields are displayed for entering the company code, user code, and password. The worker enters this information and touches the "Login" button to send this information to the business operator server 12.

FIG. 10B shows an example of the top screen displayed in S204. This is the top menu for advance pay, and displays the name (user name) of the logged-in worker and the date and time of their last login.
・Apply for a salary advance request (application for use)
・Available advance payment inquiry (available amount inquiry)
・Check application history for advance salary requests (check usage history)
Check boxes are displayed for selecting one of the following options: Change password, etc. The worker touches one of the options to check the check box. For example, the worker can check the "Application for use" check box and send it to the business operator server 12.

Figure 10C shows an example of the salary advance request screen displayed in S206. The salary advance request amount for the logged-in worker is displayed. The worker enters the salary advance request amount and touches the "Send" button to send this information to the business server 12. Although not shown in Figure 10C, the amount available for salary advance payment for each worker may also be displayed.

As described above, in this embodiment, workers can receive advance payments of their wages and can receive advance payments in a variety of forms.

1: Salary advance system 10: Employer server 100: Attendance data input/output unit 101: Attendance data storage unit 102: Hourly wage unit price table input/output unit 103: Hourly wage unit price table storage unit 12: Business operator server 120: User data input unit 121: User table storage unit 122: Salary calculation unit 123: Request processing unit 124: Request table storage unit 125: Upper limit number of users determination unit 126: Salary advance amount comparison unit 127: Approval unit 128: Salary advance transfer data creation unit 129: Salary advance transfer instruction unit 130: Salary advance payment data transmission unit 14: Attendance information management server 140: Attendance data input/output unit 141: Attendance data storage unit 142: Hourly wage unit price table storage unit 143: Hourly wage unit price table input/output unit 144: Salary calculation unit 16: Worker terminal 18: Bank server 20: Network

Claims (5)

A payroll advance system in which a service provider advances payroll to workers on behalf of at least one employer,
a business server managed by the service provider;
The business server
a request processing unit that receives salary advance request information from the worker, the salary advance request information including a salary advance request amount;
an employer information storage unit that stores an upper limit of the number of workers who can receive advance salary payments set for each employer;
a user upper limit number determination unit that, when acquiring the salary advance payment request information, determines whether the number of users of the salary advance payment system within a predetermined period is within the upper limit of the number of workers stored in the user information storage unit;
a salary advance transfer data creation unit that creates salary advance transfer data for paying the salary advance payment amount calculated based on the attendance data, the salary advance request amount , and the salary advance available amount for each worker when the user upper limit number determination unit determines that the number of workers is within the upper limit;
a salary advance payment transfer instruction unit that instructs the employer to transfer the salary advance payment amount to the employee's account based on the salary advance payment data;
a salary advance payment data sending unit that sends salary advance payment data including the salary advance payment amount paid to the worker to the employer;
A salary advance payment system comprising : The salary advance system of claim 1, wherein the available salary advance amount is an amount obtained by multiplying the labor compensation amount calculated from the attendance data for the period from a specified date to the date the salary advance request information was obtained by a specified coefficient, and subtracting the salary advance amount already paid to the worker from the amount obtained; the available salary advance amount is compared with the salary advance request amount, and if the salary advance request amount is smaller , the salary advance request amount is calculated as the salary advance payment amount. 3. The salary advance payment system according to claim 1, wherein the attendance data is managed by an attendance information management server. The salary advance system described in claim 3, wherein the salary advance request information is transmitted from a worker terminal, and the worker terminal, the business server, and the attendance information management server are communicatively connected via a network. A program for a payroll advance system in which a service provider makes payroll advance payments to workers on behalf of at least one employer,
On the computer,
obtaining payroll advance request information from the worker, the payroll advance request information including a payroll advance request amount;
a step of referring to an upper limit of the number of workers who can receive advance salary payments, which is set for each employer and stored in a storage means, and determining whether the number of users of the salary advance payment system within a specified period is within the upper limit of the number of workers when the salary advance payment request information is acquired;
If it is determined in the determining step that the number of workers is within the upper limit, creating salary advance transfer data for paying the salary advance payment amount calculated based on the attendance data, the salary advance request amount, and the salary advance available amount for each worker to the worker;
a step of instructing the employee to transfer the advance salary amount to the employee's account on behalf of the employer based on the advance salary transfer data;
sending salary advance payment data to the employer, the salary advance payment data including the salary advance payment amount paid to the worker;
A program characterized by causing a program to be executed.