My company hasn't paid me !

ScoobyZ

Hi over the last 3 months things have been a bit tight at work and we have either been paid a couple of days late or paid by cheque on the 1st of the month instead of the money going into the bank on the last day.

This month however none of the staff have been paid at all but are expected to continue working as normal. I get on well with the bosses and understand they are trying to negotiate with the bank to release some funds to pay us.

Last time this happened we worked a month for nothing and then the recivers were called in. The company was wound up on the firday and reopened the following week where 60% (me included) we offered our old jobs back. The DTI redundancy money covered our loss of income at that time, but we knew the day we wernt being paid that this was happening.

Also I have redundancy insurance on my mortgage, but it goes out the window when they offer you your old job back

I cant claim any benefits or help as I am still working (unpaid) if I walk out that won't help as the insurance company will say I have left of my own accord, so at this moment in time I have no choice other than to keep working there.

I don't know if anyone else has come across this and can offer any advice.

LittleVoice

Sounds as though the owners of the business have learned how phoenix companies can take advantage of suppliers and staff and the tax payer by going out of business, buying the assets dirt cheap and getting a ready-made workforce all primed to do the work without induction or specialised training.

I would refuse to work in those circumstances. If they don't pay you, they have broken their contract with you.

You will not have left of your own accord. Your employment contract has been broken by the employer. There is supposed to be mutuality of trust - you can have no trust in them.

ScoobyZ

Yes I think you are right, they are making me redundant on Friday and may open again next monday.

I have another job (in the NHS) so will be able to move over to that.

LittleVoice

You are well out of that company. And I expect the "directors" will have changed even though the owners/people actually running the business will be the same ones.

Good luck with the new job. At least the NHS has morals.

Oh, and pursue the old company for what it owes you. Find out who is the Receiver and put in your claim.

howmuchcaniget

I'm the same as the first member but my pay cheque keeps bouncing and they give us cash when we ask for our pay but this happens every time we get paid.

Now this pay has bounced again and they have told us that the company has no money to pay us.... what should i do???

LittleVoice

I would stop working for them, let HMRC know - because they probably haven't being been paying correct NI/tax - and establish what they mean by having no money to pay you. If they mean they are insolvent and therefore have to go into receivership, ensure your claim for wages, notice and any accrued holiday not taken is recorded.

ScoobyZ

howmuchcaniget wrote: »

I'm the same as the first member but my pay cheque keeps bouncing and they give us cash when we ask for our pay but this happens every time we get paid.

Now this pay has bounced again and they have told us that the company has no money to pay us.... what should i do???

I would also not just walk out or quit, as you need to be made redundant to claim the maximum from the DTI including notice period etc.

It's tough and people will look at you like you are mad if you go to work after not being paid. I have a bad cold at the moment so have stayed off sick until the official redundant day.

LittleVoice

The company has broken the contract - they have not paid the worker. You don't go on working in those circumstances, surely?

howmuchcaniget

i've wrote my grievance letter and am handing it in when I go to work 2moro.

I'm on reduced days now to 3 days instead of 5.

Work pay my csa payments on attachment of earnings and he payments to csa have all bounced so they owe them 4 cheques... too...

its a mess and i'm getting really down about it.