The Crew blog
Plain guides to attendance, payroll and Indian statutory compliance, written for business owners and HR teams.
How to calculate PF in India, with examples
The 12% rule, the ₹15,000 wage ceiling, and how the employer share splits between EPF and EPS.
ESI eligibility and contribution rates
Who is covered, the ₹21,000 limit, and what employees and employers pay.
Biometric vs selfie vs geo-fence attendance
Which method suits offices, plants and field staff.
Best attendance and payroll software in India (2026)
Nine options compared on price, biometric and geo-fence attendance and compliance.
Salary slip format in India
What every payslip must show, with a sample.
How to calculate overtime in India
Twice the ordinary rate, with a worked example.
Professional tax slabs by state
Slabs for 8 states, and where there is none.
Gratuity rules in India
Who gets it, the formula and the ₹20 lakh limit.
Leave policy template
A template to copy, with the legal minimums.
HR and payroll terms
The Indian HR and payroll terms people search for most, explained in a sentence.
Provident Fund (PF)
12% of basic pay plus DA from employee and employer, for retirement savings.
Employee State Insurance (ESI)
Health insurance for employees earning up to ₹21,000 a month.
Professional Tax (PT)
A small state tax on salaries, deducted monthly by slab.
TDS on salary
Income tax the employer deducts from salary every month.
Gratuity
A lump sum paid after 5 years of service under the Gratuity Act.
Labour Welfare Fund (LWF)
A small state contribution from employer and employee for worker welfare.
Shops and Establishments Act
State law on working hours, holidays and registration for shops and offices.
Payment of Bonus Act
The law on the yearly statutory bonus for eligible employees.
Contract Labour Act
Rules for companies that hire workers through contractors.
Cost to Company (CTC)
Everything an employer spends on an employee in a year.
Form 16
The yearly TDS certificate an employer gives each employee.
Full and final settlement
The last payment and paperwork when an employee leaves.
Leave Travel Allowance (LTA)
An allowance for travel on leave, tax-exempt under the old regime.
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
A salary allowance for rent, partly tax-exempt under the old regime.
EDLI
Life insurance for PF members, paid for by the employer.
