Which of the following actions would be classified as adding to automatic pay?

The correct answer is focused on the action that directly contributes to the composition of automatic pay for an employee. When tips and bonuses are entered into the payroll system, they represent additional earnings that can be automatically calculated and included in an employee's pay cycle. These earnings augment the overall paycheck and are crucial elements of an employee's total compensation package, particularly in jobs where tips play a significant role in income, such as in hospitality or service industries.

This action is particularly relevant as it aligns with the payroll processes that ensure that all forms of compensation are accurately recorded and processed, which is essential for both compliance and employee satisfaction. Therefore, adding tips and bonuses is essential to automating the payroll process, ensuring accuracy in payments, and reflecting the employee's actual earnings for the pay period.

The other actions listed do not contribute directly to automatic pay in the way added earnings do. Creating a temporary department, for example, pertains more to organizational structure rather than payroll calculations. Inputting a regular earnings entry, while important, is usually a standard part of payroll processing rather than an addition to automatic pay that would change its nature significantly. Changing tax frequency affects withholding calculations but does not directly relate to what constitutes automatic compensation for employees.