I can only get permission to add an employee with a TEXT from QBO - is there a way to make this more flexible such as using email to get the "secret codes"

The option to receive a verification code via email when adding an employee is currently unavailable in QuickBooks Online (QBO), Pro. However, I can direct you to the appropriate team to explore available alternatives.
 
I can see the benefit of this option for you, and  I recommend reaching out to our live support team for more tailored assistance. Here's how you can contact them:

1. Log in to your QBO company.
2. Click on (?) Help.
3. Select the Assistant tab to get help from the QB assistant, or select the Search tab to look for related articles.
4. After searching for an article, click the Contact Us button at the bottom and enter your concerns. Choose your preferred method of contact.

Also, if you want to know their support hours, please read the Support Hours section in this article: Contact live support team.

Once you’ve set up your company and employee details in the Payroll account, you’ll be ready to run and submit payroll. This ensures accurate payroll processing and compliance, while efficiently managing deductions, taxes, and benefits to save time.

If you have any additional questions about setting up employees in QBO, don't hesitate to return to this thread. We'll ensure to address all your concerns as soon as we can. The Community is always here to support you. Take care.