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.