You can use wage codes or non-union pay groups if you are a non-union shop that does prevailing wage work. However, you may not use both at the same time.
Used together, union and wage codes can be used to create unlimited wage tables. Multiple wage codes can be assigned to a job and to a phase. Up to four add-on or deduction codes may be associated with the union code. This provides a way to automate recurring deductions for a specific type of work. This logic works for Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage jobs.
These tables can also be used to control pay rates when the employee is working on a piece of equipment. For example, the employee may earn $8/hour as a laborer and $15/hour when running the backhoe.
Pay groups provide a means to set up a series of default pay rates for non-union employees. Pay group features include the ability to set different burden rates (estimated) by employee, job, or phase. Only two add-ons or deduction codes may be associated with the pay group code. This is a wage table that works for Davis-Bacon, prevailing wage, and non-prevailing wage jobs.
If your company has both union and non-union employees, you will want to use the union and wage code system.