underpayed this month (what can i do ?)

slightly_delayed

I'm looking for some advice please , i was underpayed this month by about just over £230, I've spoken to the personnel they've said fine we'll pay you it in next months wages, the problem is this is just about 3 weeks away (9 th Jan), The thing is i need this money now to buy gas / electric (key meter thing), food and to get to work(can walk there but too late to walk back safely), fortunately what wages i have received have paid my rent/ loans, (these go out the day wages come in so no chance of postponing payment ) The question is are the company allowed to do this ? Even a loan for half the amount they owe me would allow me to eat this month, Any advice would be great before I go to work tomorrow lunchtime all guns blazing

thanks

briona

Hi

I was underpaid by a similar amount in a previous job. As I needed the money that week, and not in a month's time, I (politely!) argued my case until they wrote me a cheque! Perhaps you could ask your company for one? As it's a couple of hundred pounds (rather than a couple of thousand) I can't see that there would be any problem – after all they were due to pay you the money anyway!

Whatever you do, don't lose your rag! Just explain that you have financial commitments that coincide with your monthly pay date or thereabouts, and ask if they wouldn't mind writing you out a cheque.

Briona

jobbingmusician

If you incur any bank charges due to late payment (even a cheque takes several days to clear) you should politely insist that your employer pays these as well. They are bound, by your contract of employment, to pay you the full amount due on the due date, not some time next month!!!

scottn

apply this logic:
1) is the amount material to the employee/a significant proportion of their wage?
2) is if the fault of the company (ie. its not caused by employee submitting overtime late or something like that).

if you can answer yes to both of the above I think you are fairly well entitled to ask for a CHAPS payment now. as above, a polite but firm explanation of the facts and our circumstances to payroll manager.

viktory

My wages were mucked up by my employer and they gave me a cheque for the shortfall on pay day. Your employer should do the same -it is not acceptable for them to make you wait.

As others have said, politely request that they pay you the money you are owed via cheque today. Good luck.

Auzelia

I also had that problem this month, told them in no uncertain terms that I needed the money, and the fact that the supervisors they employ cant add up simple maths shouldnt mean that I have to wait an extra month for my wages.
Got an e-mail later that day saying my monies was being processed!
Good luck x

bobalob

Hi there,

I found this info on the Advice Guide website, it may help:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/e_employer_witholds_your_pay.pdf

Incidentially, are you a member of a trade union? They may be able to help you too.

slightly_delayed

thanks for all advice i spoke to somebody else in personnel today who seemed to know what she was doing , she's said the company will give me 60% of what they owe me into the bank and the rest next pay day i'll have to wait a few days for it to clear, but it's better than nothing, I'm tempted to have a word with the union rep though because it just does'nt seem fair,

Incidently I'm not the only person this has happened to this month pretty much every one that had a holiday last month did'nt recieve their full holiday pay

slightly_delayed

just got a letter from my bank saying they will be charging me for bouncing a direct debt. It would have normally been paid but due to the previously mentioned under payment it wasn't can i ask the company i work for to pay these charges or am i on my own

ceridwen

Well - some of us at least certainly could. I dont have to worry if my salary is late - I can spend it anyway and they will have to pay the charges.

You want to ask your Union if your company has such an agreement.

Even if they havent - its worth writing them a letter and enclosing the "bill" for this (keep a copy). I would imagine they would have to pay up your costs anyway - guess someone else will be along later who can tell you whether the law obliges them to pay your salary on time. I would have thought there would be a specific law obliging employers to pay peoples salary on time - otherwise employers could make us all wait till Kingdom Come whilst they "borrowed" our money off us as an interest-free loan.