From Back Office to Business Driver: Rethinking Payroll & HR with Tatjana Domovits

Is your payroll platform helping you lead—or making you lag?

In this reflective conversation, Tatjana Domovits, Group CEO of Mercans, unpacks the evolving role of payroll and HR in driving global business growth, shares how Mercans is solving cross-border complexity with tech-powered, human-first solutions, and explains why the future of workforce strategy starts with getting the fundamentals right.

Having built Mercans from the ground up over 20 years ago, how has your role as Group CEO evolved alongside its growth, and what anchors your leadership today?

When I founded Mercans over two decades ago, I was deeply involved in every layer of the business—from understanding local compliance in emerging markets to designing operational models that could scale globally. Those early days were shaped by grit, vision, and a belief that payroll and HR could become far more than back-office support functions. I was driven by a desire to transform them into value-generating pillars of business growth.

Today, my role has evolved into one of stewardship. I lead with trust in the exceptional teams we have built, while focusing on long-term strategy, innovation, and nurturing a culture that puts people first. What anchors my leadership is the belief that technology should serve humanity. Every decision I make is guided by how we can make life easier for our clients, more fulfilling for our employees, and more empowering for individuals around the world. Leadership, for me, is about vision with empathy.

What do you believe large multinational companies expect today from regional HR and payroll partners?

Global organizations today need more than just vendors—they need strategic partners who can adapt quickly, anticipate regulatory shifts, and offer insight across diverse markets. The expectations are high because the risks are high. Whether it is navigating fast-changing compliance rules, managing complex workforce structures, or ensuring data integrity across borders, companies are looking for solutions that are both intelligent and resilient.

They want simplicity without sacrificing depth. They want technology that integrates seamlessly with their ecosystem but also local expertise that understands the nuance of each jurisdiction. And most importantly, they want a partner that listens, adapts, and leads with integrity. At Mercans, this is exactly what we do—we bring advanced technology, local fluency, and a human-centered approach together to deliver peace of mind and true strategic value.

In what ways does your Employer of Record (EOR) service enable clients to focus more on talent strategy and less on administrative complexity?

Our Employer of Record service is more than a solution—it’s a strategic enabler. Much like our payroll technology, our EOR platform has been designed to deliver accuracy, speed, and visibility across every touchpoint. But what truly sets it apart is its ability to simplify the complex without stripping away local depth.

With our EOR services, clients no longer have to navigate unfamiliar labor laws, manage fragmented onboarding processes, or worry about local filings. Instead, they can focus on what truly drives business growth—attracting the right talent, building culture, and strengthening employee engagement. Behind the scenes, our systems handle everything from employment contracts and visa processes to benefits and local tax reporting. It is a holistic approach, and one that reflects our belief that operational clarity is the foundation for creative, people-centered strategy.

Beyond payroll, Mercans offers support for permits, business setup, and local compliance. How do these services enable global companies to establish themselves in new markets?

Expanding into a new market is a bold step, and it should feel exciting, not overwhelming. What we offer is a launchpad. From the moment a company chooses to explore a new region, we provide them with the tools, knowledge, and support to build with confidence.

Whether it is securing the right permits, setting up a legal entity, or ensuring full compliance with local employment laws, our experts walk alongside our clients every step of the way. Because we combine compliance, payroll, and onboarding technology under one roof, we can deliver faster turnaround times, greater transparency, and a seamless experience. This gives our clients the freedom to focus on their vision while we take care of the operational reality.

How is Mercans advancing data intelligence under your leadership to meet growing demand for real-time insights and predictive analytics from payroll platforms?

At Mercans, we see data as more than numbers—it is a story waiting to be told. Under my leadership, we have prioritized turning payroll data into actionable insight. Our technology is designed not only to report what has happened but also to predict what is likely to happen. This shift from hindsight to foresight is crucial in today’s fast-moving global economy.

We have built predictive models and intelligent dashboards into our platforms that help clients forecast payroll costs, flag compliance risks, and track workforce trends in real time. It is about empowering our clients to make smart decisions faster. What excites me most is knowing that we are not just processing data—we are helping businesses move forward with clarity and confidence.

How do you see payroll tech playing a bigger role in shaping employee experience in the near future?

The future of employee experience is deeply intertwined with the evolution of payroll technology. When people are paid correctly, on time, and with full transparency, it builds trust. But the impact goes far beyond that. Today’s payroll tech can offer employees a personalized, empowering experience, where they can access payslips in their language, run simulations, choose payment frequencies, or even gain financial insights that support better life planning.

At Mercans, we design our platforms with the end user in mind. We ask ourselves how payroll can make people feel seen, respected, and supported. In the coming years, I believe payroll will become a cornerstone of wellbeing strategies, shaping not just how people are paid, but how they experience their workplace.

What systemic hurdles still exist for women in tech? How are you working to dismantle them at Mercans?

There are still persistent challenges for women in technology, whether it’s unequal access to leadership roles, a lack of representation in product development teams, or cultural expectations around work-life balance. These are systemic issues, and tackling them requires deliberate, ongoing action.

At Mercans, we are committed to changing the narrative. We create opportunities for women not just to join the tech space, but to lead within it. That means offering flexible working arrangements, supporting career re-entry, and fostering an environment where every voice is heard and respected. We also invest in mentoring and development programs that help women grow not only their skills but also their confidence. As a woman who has built a career in this space, I feel a deep responsibility to open doors for others. Our technology should be inclusive because our teams are. That is the only way we will build solutions that truly reflect the world we live in—and the future we want to create.