Incorrect Pay..workers rights?

collette87

Hi everyone,

For the second time in 9 months, I was underpaid by roughly £300 (I work part time) at work. This has been caused by a human error, and the person responsibile has since owned up. I have written a formal grievance letter, and will be hoping to have a meeting to have this issue sorted out so that it does not occur in the future.

I wanted to know if in the meantime I can take time off work because now that all my monthly bills have been taken out, I literally have no money to travel to work. I have roughly £10 to last me until the end of the month. In London the tenner will go in the space of two days on transort. Am I allowed to say that until I get paid, I cannot afford to come in??? My holiday has also been ruined, as Im going away next weekend, but now have no spending money unless a family member is willing to borrow me some. So there error has also ruined my holiday. Can I claim for the stress I've been pout under?

Thanks.

Savvy_Sue

I'd have said a better thing to ask for was an immediate payment to cover the shortfall, even if they can't re-run the payroll they can do a rough calculation and adjust it properly next month.

If you stop turning up, you might get the shortfall but you won't be paid for the time you don't work!

collette87

I've asked for an emergency pay, but they say they're trying to fix the issue, but have no idea when we will be paid. It has happened to all the part timers, before when this happened they just left it until the following month to pay us. I really can't afford to wait that long though, this time around.

Savvy_Sue

Then tell them that. And if others are affected, ALL tell them that. Raise a grievance, take it to the MD, SOMEONE must be able to authorise an emergency payment!

chocsessential

But if they haven't paid you then they've still got the money! I don't see why they can't do an immediate BACS payment into your account. I had a similar thing when my working hours were calculated as 1.5 instead of 50. Luckily it was rectified within a few days and the money was paid into my account. I bet the management wouldn't stand for it if their pay was short.

collette87

Exactly! I have no idea why, because they were aware of this issue from mid month, as thats when pay roll need the hours through. So now we're all having to wait on them. The pay i received was less than half of what i shouldve taken home. According to them, we just have to wait until the situation is rectified. I asked why this happened and she said a family member was ill, so I correct hours were not sent to pay roll. I under too much stress, and have no money to come to work. I think thats what I'll do, I'll inform them, that I cant come in until I am paid.:mad:

chocsessential

Well if you incur bank charges for bounced direct debits, etc, make sure you photocopy your bank statement and write a letter demanding that the charges be refunded. I don't think it is a good idea to just not turn up for work; you might end up being disciplined. At the moment you're in the right but if you don't come to work they won't hesitate to turn the tables and say you broke your contract. Can someone lend you the fares for a few days?

LittleVoice

Contact them on Monday (by phone if you are not due to go in to work on Monday morning) and say there has been an unlawful deduction from your wages and that you want to be paid in cash the next day you are due in (assuming that is within the next couple of days).

Are you sure the business is not having cashflow problems?

collette87

It's not even a business, it's a university, a reputable one at that.

I will give them a ring as you've suggested, but I highly doubt they'd pay me by wednesday, when Im next due in. This has happened before and we had to wait until the following month.

I have mentioned the unlawful deduction of wages in my grievance letter to the Head of Service.

collette87

I've asked around already,and they all seem to be a bit hard up for cash at the moment. A days fare in London will cost me about a fiver just to get to work and back, I usually buy monthly. Paying £5 a day is just too expensive, unless my employers can reimburse me, which I doubt they will.

chocsessential

I've never been to university so don't know how the system works but is there a bursar you can speak to? It is disgraceful to treat you like this, and the very least they can do is advance you the fare and lunch money so you can go to work this week.