Here’s a quick reference guide to help you understand the most common terms you’ll encounter when using TradeSeal.
Employee Import
A spreadsheet-based method used to upload employee information, including names, job numbers, positions, and union affiliations. TradeSeal supports both standard and advanced import formats.
Rate Validation
A tool that checks your pre-payroll data to ensure each employee is assigned the correct rate and fringe benefits, based on prevailing wage or union rules.
Cost Entry
The screen where hours, pay types (e.g., regular, OT), and job-level details are entered or reviewed before payroll is processed. It’s also where employer-paid fringe credits can be added.
Fringe Credits
Employer-paid amounts (like 401(k) or health insurance) that reduce the fringe obligation on Certified Payroll reports. These can be imported via the advanced employee template.
Certified Payroll
A government-required report (such as WH-347) that verifies employees were paid prevailing wages on public projects. TradeSeal automates this report based on your payroll journal data.
Union Report
A report generated for union-covered employees, summarizing hours, earnings, and deductions by job and position. TradeSeal can generate this automatically when union data is configured.
Job Number
A unique ID assigned to a project or job site. Job Numbers are used to match hours and wage rules with the correct worksite. Prevailing wage rules are often job-specific.
Position / Class
Describes the trade or classification for a worker (e.g., Laborer, Apprentice, Journeyman Electrician). Rate rules are applied based on position, often in combination with the Job Number or Union Number.
Union Number
An optional field used to identify union-covered employees. Can be used to trigger union-specific rate and benefit rules or overtime policies.
Payroll Journal
A file (usually from your payroll system) that lists each employee’s pay, rate, and hours. TradeSeal uses this to generate Certified Payroll and Union Reports.
GL (General Ledger) Export
A report or integration that maps labor costs by job, position, and cost center—used for accounting or job