Is it worth persuing minor dispute over pay?

LLM

The company I work for usually closes over Christmas, but this year, they decided to open fom boxing day.

As none of the employees are contracted to work the Christmas period, it was agreed that depending on the day worked, we would receive either time + half or double pay.

The day I worked was a double pay day.

Having checked my January pay slip, I have only been paid at plain time as have others. This was queried with the works payroll dept and my manager who have come back saying that this is correct, I will only be paid at plain time.

I have been told that as I am not contracted to work the Christmas period, there is an allowance in my annual leave to accomodate this, so if I had booked the day I worked as annual leave, then I would be paid double. However, as I did not book the day worked as annual leave(as instructed by my team leader), I will only be paid at plain time.

I am not too happy about this as it was not made clear from the off. I have been given the choice to sacrifice a days leave for the extra pay but feel this is a little unfair as none of this was explained properly and I have booked my annual leave up to the end of the leave year and allowed myself a couple of days remaining for emergencies.

It is not a huge amount of money that I am missing out on, but just think that it's a bit crafty the way they have advertised it as double time when essentially, it's not.

Is it worth persuing this or am I best to leave it to save a row over a few extra quid?

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

Googlewhacker

persue it informally with whoever told you that you would get double pay etc and if needs be raise a grievance as a group (better protection) to get the money.

agrinnall

If none of you get the money they'll be struggling to get any volunteers if they decide to open again next Christmas!

Savvy_Sue

Just a bit confused at the idea that you book a day's leave, but actually work it, to ensure you get double pay. Somewhere, someone has to input that double pay, regardless of the system.

Plus, unless your leave entitlement is more than the statutory 5.6 weeks, then they're not giving you your full statutory entitlement.

Savvy_Sue

As for whether it's worth pursuing this: how long have you worked there, how likely are they to sack you for something if you make a fuss, how likely is it that you can get a group of you to raise this issue?

You certainly can put in a grievance over the lack of clarity, if nothing else.

jfh7gwa

LLM wrote: »

As none of the employees are contracted to work the Christmas period, it was agreed that depending on the day worked, we would receive either time + half or double pay.

The day I worked was a double pay day.

LLM wrote: »

However, as I did not book the day worked as annual leave(as instructed by my team leader), I will only be paid at plain time.

This is what you need to clarify with your manager - the two quotes above. Possibly by putting in a formal grievance - if, as Savvy_Sue explains, you think it would be worth it for you in the long run. That depends on your employer, how well you get on there, your legal protection status, etc - only you can tell that.

DreamerQ

I would personally just leave it for now but learn from it for the future. Business and the world of work is all about networking and making healthy relationships, can your persue of these few pounds harm your long-term standing with your colleagues?

Vejovis

whether it's worth pursuing is dependant on the job. if you work as an admin clerk or behind the tills in a supermarket then no, there are plenty of people lining up to do your job. if you're a brain surgeon then yes it's worth it.