Put on the payroll

HIRED

["Think of what an employer does when they officially bring someone onto their team, often after an interview. It’s the opposite of letting someone go."]

"Put on the payroll" is a straightforward clue pointing to the act of employing someone. The answer "HIRED" fits because it’s the common term for bringing someone into a job and adding them to the company’s payroll. There’s no hidden wordplay here—just a direct definition where the clue and answer align perfectly.