When I first joined Sobeys? I honestly did not pay much attention to payroll history. I just checked my bank account on payday and felt satisfied. But one month, my overtime payment looked slightly different. That’s when I understood how important it is to review payroll history properly.
From my experience, checking your payroll history regularly saves you from confusion, mistakes, and stress later. In this article, I will explain in simple steps how employees can review their payroll history using the Sobeys People Portal. I will also share what I personally check every time and small tips that helped me.
No complicated language. Just practical guidance.
What Is the Sobeys People Portal?
The Sobeys People Portal is an online system where employees can manage work-related information. From my understanding and usage, it includes.
- Pay stubs
- Payroll history
- Tax forms (like T4 in Canada)
- Work schedules
- Personal details
- Benefits information
It works like a self-service HR system. Instead of calling HR for every small thing, you can log in and check most of your details yourself.
Why Reviewing Payroll History Is Important?
Earlier, I used to think payroll history is only needed during tax season. That is not true.
Here is why I now check it regularly:
- To confirm overtime payment
- To check deductions
- To verify vacation payout
- To track year-to-date income
- To avoid future tax confusion
Sometimes small payroll mistakes happen. Not very often, but they can happen. When you review your payroll history monthly, you can report issues quickly instead of waiting for months.
Step-by-Step: How to Review Payroll History on Sobeys People Portal?
Now I will explain the exact steps I personally follow.
Step 1: Log In to the People Portal
First, go to the official employee portal website provided by Sobeys.
Enter:
- Your Employee ID
- Password
If you forgot your password, use the “Forgot Password” option or contact your store manager or HR support.
Tip from my side: Always use a secure internet connection when checking payroll details.
Step 2: Go to Payroll or Pay Section
After login, you will see the dashboard.
Look for options like:
- Payroll
- Pay Statements
- My Pay
- Compensation
The name may slightly vary depending on updates, but it is usually clearly visible.
I normally click on “Pay Statements.”
Step 3: Select Payroll History
Inside the payroll section.
- Recent pay stubs
- List of previous pay periods
- Year-to-date summary
You can select any past date to open that specific pay statement.
From my experience, I prefer downloading the PDF version. It is easier to save for records.
Step 4: Review Pay Details Carefully
When I open a pay statement, I check these sections one by one.
1. Gross Pay
This shows total earnings before deductions.
- Regular hours
- Overtime hours
- Holiday pay
- Bonus (if any)
2. Deductions
This includes,
- Income tax
- CPP
- EI
- Benefits contributions
I compare this with previous months if something looks different.
3. Net Pay
This is the amount deposited into the bank account.
I always match it with my bank credit entry.
4. Year-to-Date (YTD)
This shows total earnings and deductions so far in the year.
Very useful during tax time.
How Often Should You Check Payroll History?
From my experience, checking once every pay cycle is enough.
Some people check only during tax season. I feel that is risky. If you wait too long, correcting errors becomes difficult.
My simple rule.
Spend 5 minutes every payday reviewing your pay stub.
Common Payroll Issues I Have Seen
I am not saying payroll errors happen regularly. But I have seen small issues like,
- Overtime hours missing
- Incorrect holiday pay
- Wrong benefit deduction
- Shift differential not added
When this happens, do not panic. Take a screenshot or download the pay stub and contact:
- Store Manager
- HR Department
- Payroll Support Team
Report early. That makes resolution faster.
Can Employees Download Old Payroll Records?
Yes. From my usage, the portal usually keeps past payroll records available for download.
You can:
- Download PDF copies
- Save them for tax filing
- Print if needed
I personally save all my pay stubs in one folder on my laptop. It helps during tax filing.
What If You Cannot Access Payroll History?
Sometimes login issues happen.
Here is what I suggest:
- Reset your password
- Clear browser cache
- Try another browser
- Contact IT support
Do not ignore it. Payroll access is important.
Is Payroll History Secure?
Yes, the People Portal is protected with login credentials. But security also depends on us.
From my experience:
- Never share your login details
- Always log out after checking
- Avoid using public computers
Payroll information contains personal data. Treat it carefully.
Benefits of Reviewing Payroll History Regularly
After I started reviewing my payroll properly, I noticed some benefits:
- Better understanding of deductions
- Clear idea of yearly income
- No surprise during tax season
- Confidence that everything is correct
It also makes you more aware of your financial planning.
Final Thoughts
If you are working at Sobeys and not checking your payroll history regularly, I suggest you start now.
It takes only a few minutes. But it can prevent future problems.
From my personal experience, the Sobeys People Portal makes it easy to review payroll history. You just need to log in, open your pay statements, and check details carefully.