Unpaid wages, help please

mattcyanyde

Hey all

I'm having some trouble with my wages and was hoping for some help.

I work for one of the largest dining companies in the UK and have been since october. I started 1.5 weeks away from the cut-off point for that months pay and did around 70 hours work. The following month i did ~170 hours work.

I did not receive payment the first month (2.5 weeks after starting) because i was put on the system too late. When i did receive my first payment, 4 weeks after that, i had been paid for about 190 hours, not the 240 or so expected.

I have a contract signed by both myself and the manager stating an hourly wage of £6.50 but my payslip showed an hourly rate of £5.93. My boss admitted this was an error and has promised to fix it, but i have spoken to payroll and it would seem nothing has been done as of yet. I was also told that a few others that started the same time as me had also had this problem and had received a second payment, but when i spoke to one of them, they said they were still waiting.

It could be a genuine error, and i would like to believe it is as i love this job, but im expecting the worst.

I am hoping for some advice about what steps i can do to recover this money if i dont receive it on my next payday (we are paid 4 weekly, so 24th dec). I really need the money as i live on my own and i do have bills to pay too. As i was underpaid ive also not ben able to get any presents for anyone which has really got me down

I dont want to be working for free, and i am working all of christmas and new years, so am i entitled to "withhold my services" due to non-payment, and can i get fired for this? If so, do i have a leg to stand on legally?

Thanks everyone, and any questions then fire away.

RedSoleShoes

If your contract states £6.50, then that is what you should be paid. They can't backtrack on it. I would imagine the £5.93 is a mistake rather than anything sinister. I would ring payroll on Monday and find out the situation. If they no nothing about it, find out from them who would be the person you need to speak to and go directly to them (I presume your line manager?).

I don't think "witholding your services" would be a good option at all. They could quite easily let you go this early on and the only way you could take it further would be an employment tribunal, so it is in your interest, for now, to keep your 'side of the bargain' and turn up for work.

mattcyanyde

Thanks

Withholding is not the way i want to go but it seems almost like im being given the run around. would a lba or simillar be a good option? My boss seems very understanding and i do belive her when she says shes trying but its head office that does everything.

Im fairly certain im indispensible at the moment, we have 4 chefs, one of which i leaving soon, and one of which is borrowed due to no interest (theyve been advertising since before i started)

pupsicola

If you have a contract stating your hourly wage then it sounds like this is just human error. Have they got you on the right tax code? I would speak with your manager and calmly explain your concerns and how it is effecting you meeting your bills.

One thing you wrote worried me. Considering how desperate most people are to find a job how come your company is finding it so hard to recruit for a position? Would make me question what type of employers they are.

mattcyanyde

pupsicola wrote: »

If you have a contract stating your hourly wage then it sounds like this is just human error. Have they got you on the right tax code? I would speak with your manager and calmly explain your concerns and how it is effecting you meeting your bills.

One thing you wrote worried me. Considering how desperate most people are to find a job how come your company is finding it so hard to recruit for a position? Would make me question what type of employers they are.

I think it is human error, im just expecting the worst thats all

We have had a fair amount of interest in the jobs, but we want someone familliar with the company/menu as the vast majority of it is freshly made, not boil in the bag jobbies. I was lucky enough to get the job (commis chef) with only kitchen porter as experience, and i love the job. the company is not the best in the world, obviously, but the team i work with are all a great bunch.