diff --git a/backend/src/routes/employees.ts b/backend/src/routes/employees.ts
index 50f8db62..32123bd0 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/employees.ts
+++ b/backend/src/routes/employees.ts
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ router.post('/', requireAuth, validate(createEmployeeSchema), async (req: AuthRe
         employmentType: data.employmentType,
         salary: data.salary,
         phone: data.phone || null,
-        gender: data.gender || null,
+        gender: data.gender ? data.gender.toUpperCase() : null,
         startDate: data.startDate ? new Date(data.startDate) : new Date(),
         pfApplicable: data.pfApplicable,
         esiApplicable: data.esiApplicable,
diff --git a/backend/src/routes/payroll.ts b/backend/src/routes/payroll.ts
index 596483e4..d09da97d 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/payroll.ts
+++ b/backend/src/routes/payroll.ts
@@ -98,10 +98,12 @@ router.post('/runs/:id/process', requireAuth, async (req: AuthRequest, res: Resp
       totalGross += calc.grossPay;
       totalNet += calc.netPay;
       totalDeductions += calc.totalDeductions;
+      // Exclude totalDeductions — not a Payslip schema field
+      const { totalDeductions: _td, ...payslipFields } = calc;
       return {
         payrollRunId: run.id,
         employeeId: emp.id,
-        ...calc,
+        ...payslipFields,
       };
     });