Final answer:
The process of preparing paychecks for hourly employees is triggered by validated attendance time cards (D). These cards track work hours which are then used to calculate pay. It's important for employees to be aware of the pay schedule and policies for accurate paycheck processing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of preparing paychecks for hourly employees is typically triggered by (D) validated attendance time cards. These time cards are often used to track the actual hours an employee has worked during a pay period, and they are usually submitted to payroll for processing. After the time cards have been validated for accuracy, they initiate the payroll process where the employee's worked hours are multiplied by their hourly wage to calculate gross pay, and then deductions are made for taxes, benefits, and other withholdings to arrive at the net pay.
In some organizations, this process might be automated, and employees may 'clock in' and 'clock out' electronically, which records their working hours directly into a payroll software system. Furthermore, employer requirements such as payroll taxes are important to consider and are typically managed within the same payroll process.
It's essential for hourly employees to understand their workplace's pay schedule, attendance, and time-off policies, which are crucial for the correct processing of paychecks, benefits, and adherence to labor laws and regulations.