How to Automate Zenefits Payroll Data Export (No API Required)

Introduction

Zenefits is an HR, payroll, and benefits platform used for employee management, payroll processing, benefits administration, and time tracking. While Zenefits offers some API and integration options, payroll reporting and export features may be limited or only available in the web app. Browser automation can serve as an effective alternative for exporting employee data, payroll runs, benefits information, and workforce reports when API access is restricted or not available for your workflow.

Why Use Browser Automation for Zenefits Payroll Data Export?

• Limited Payroll API: Zenefits' payroll and reporting features may not be fully exposed via the API for all modules
• Dashboard-Only Reports: Custom reports, payroll summaries, and export options are often only available in the web portal
• Historical Data: Access older payroll, time, and HR data beyond API or manual export limits
• Custom Exports: Generate reports by date range, department, or employee when the portal doesn't offer an API
• Payroll and Tax: Export pay runs, tax documents, and deduction reports for accounting and compliance
• Benefits and Time Tracking: Pull benefits enrollment and time tracking data when no API is available
• Employee Directory and HR: Bulk or custom employee exports for sync with other systems

Setting Up Zenefits Data Export Automation

Here's how to automate data collection from Zenefits using browser automation:

import { chromium } from 'playwright';

const response = await fetch("https://api.anchorbrowser.io/api/sessions", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "anchor-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    'headless': false,
    'proxy': {
      'type': 'residential',
      'country': 'US'
    }
  }),
});

const { id } = await response.json();
const connectionString = `wss://connect.anchorbrowser.io?apiKey=YOUR_API_KEY&sessionId=${id}`;

const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP(connectionString);
const context = browser.contexts()[0];
const ai = context.serviceWorkers()[0];
const page = context.pages()[0];

// Navigate to Zenefits
await page.goto("https://app.zenefits.com");

// Login with AI agent
await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
  prompt: 'Log in to Zenefits using the provided credentials. Wait for the dashboard to fully load.'
}));

Exporting Employee and HR Data

Automate the export of employee and HR data from Zenefits:

const exportZenefitsEmployees = async (page, ai, options) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the People or Employee Directory, then to Reports or Export'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Apply filters if needed. Then run or export the report for ${options.reportType || 'employee data'} (e.g., CSV or Excel).`
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Exporting Payroll and Pay Runs

Export payroll runs and pay history when no API is available:

const exportZenefitsPayroll = async (page, ai, dateRange) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Payroll section, then to Pay Runs or Payroll History'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set the date or pay period filter to ${dateRange.start} to ${dateRange.end}`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Click Export or Download, select CSV or Excel if available, and wait for the download to complete.'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Benefits and Time Tracking Reports

Pull benefits and time tracking data from Zenefits:

const exportZenefitsBenefits = async (page, ai) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Benefits section, then to Reports or Export'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Export or download the benefits report (enrollment, deductions, etc.). Wait for the download to complete.'
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

const exportZenefitsTimeTracking = async (page, ai, dateRange) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Time section or Time Tracking'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Set the date range to ${dateRange.start} to ${dateRange.end}, then export the timesheet or time report.`
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Tax Documents and Payroll Reports

Download tax documents and payroll reports:

const exportZenefitsTaxReports = async (page, ai, reportType, yearOrPeriod) => {
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'Navigate to the Payroll Tax or Reports section'
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Select ${reportType} for ${yearOrPeriod} and trigger the export or download`
  }));
  
  const download = await page.waitForEvent('download');
  return await download.path();
};

Best Practices for Zenefits Portal Automation

• Security: Use secure credential storage and support 2FA or SSO if Zenefits requires it
• PII and Payroll: Treat employee and payroll data as sensitive; ensure access controls and encryption
• Rate Limiting: Add delays between requests to avoid lockouts or triggering security controls
• Error Handling: Implement retries for transient failures and session timeouts
• Regular Updates: Zenefits may update the portal; monitor UI changes and adjust automation accordingly
• Terms of Use: Comply with Zenefits' terms of use and any contractual restrictions on automated access

Handling Zenefits Authentication

Zenefits typically uses email/password; some accounts use SSO. Example flow:

const handleZenefitsAuth = async (page, ai, credentials) => {
  await page.goto('https://app.zenefits.com');
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: `Enter email: ${credentials.email} and password: ${credentials.password}, then click Login or Sign in`
  }));
  
  await ai.evaluate(JSON.stringify({
    prompt: 'If 2FA or verification is required, enter the code from the provided method. Choose "Remember this device" if offered.'
  }));
  
  await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
};

Resources

• Anchor Browser Documentation - Complete API reference and guides
• Anchor Browser Playground - Try browser automation in your browser

Conclusion

Browser automation provides a flexible alternative to Zenefits Payroll API access for employee, payroll, benefits, and time tracking data export. By using browser automation, you can automate data export when the Zenefits portal does not expose a full API for your needs. With attention to security and terms of use, you can streamline Zenefits data workflows.

Start automating your Zenefits and payroll data collection and simplify your HR reporting.