Inside the Puzzle Master Badge Challenge at Payroll Congress

At this year’s Payroll Congress, the concept of payroll being a puzzle came to life in the Puzzle Master Badge Challenge, where three brave contestants put their problem-solving skills to the test in front of a lively audience.

The challenge kicked off today's Future of Work and Pay General Session with a simple question posed to the audience by emcee Bryan Chan: Can payroll be a bit of a puzzle sometimes? The response was immediate and unanimous—all the time.

Drawing inspiration from the world of scouting, the session introduced the concept of earning a “Puzzle Master” badge—an achievement that would require teamwork, critical thinking, and a knack for deciphering clues.

To guide the challenge, attendees were introduced to a familiar face with a surprising backstory: PAYO President Jim Medlock, who took the stage as the official “Scout Leader”—complete with credentials as a bona fide Eagle Scout. Medlock highlighted how his scouting experience instilled a love for problem-solving, a skill that aligns closely with the complexities of payroll.

Shirley Brickous, CPP, PHR, Ian Giles, and Sophadavy Luizaga, CPP stepped into the spotlight as the day’s “payroll scouts.” Their objective? Complete a series of increasingly challenging puzzles scattered along a themed “trail,” ultimately unlocking a cabin that held their reward.

The first riddle, centered on assembling pieces to reveal that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” tested the team’s ability to collaborate under pressure. The trio quickly solved the puzzle, earning their first clue and moving on to the next checkpoint.

The second challenge, retrieved from an unexpected source—a roaming “tree”—encouraged the players to identify what different items had in common. It was a clever reminder of the shared threads that unite payroll professionals across industries.

All the while, the audience was treated to humorous updates via the “Live Jim Cam,” where Medlock offered words of encouragement… until things took an unexpected turn.

In a surprising twist, the scout leader announced (via walkie-talkie) that he had fallen into a well and needed rescuing. His message was incomplete, cutting off just as he began to reveal the password needed to retrieve the rope locked inside a cabin.

The stakes were suddenly higher: not only did the players need to solve the final puzzle, but they also had to use all three clues to unlock the cabin and save their scout leader.

“Let’s save Jim, everyone!” Chan said.

The last riddle, delivered by a mischievous onstage “chipmunk,” asked the team to identify an item missing its pair—a nod to the importance of balance and accuracy in payroll processes. With all three clues in hand, the players worked together to piece together the final answer.

When read aloud—“Gym Med Lock”—the phrase unlocked the cabin door, revealing the rope needed for the rescue. In a triumphant finale, the team successfully “rescued” Medlock, drawing applause and laughter from the crowd.

With the mission complete, Medlock returned to the stage—now safely out of the well and sporting a quick-change wardrobe—just in time to award Shirley, Ian, and Sophadavy their well-earned Puzzle Master badges.

The Puzzle Master Badge Challenge wasn’t just an entertaining break from traditional sessions—it was a creative reflection of the real-world challenges payroll professionals face every day. From deciphering complex regulations to managing intricate systems, payroll truly is a puzzle and solving it requires both skill and teamwork.