Employer withholding pay?

boats92

Hi, sorry if this is in the wrong place, and it's not really money saving (well, it is for my employer)!

Anyway, back in February (11 weeks ago to be precise) I was underpaid by my employer, this prompted me to check my previous wage slips (I know, I know, I should do this anyway) and it turns out I was also underpaid for December/January.

I telephoned the man from payroll the morning after I noticed telling him what had happened, and he asked me to send him my time sheets again and he'll look into it. "this will be easy", I thought.

Fast forward 11 weeks, countless emails and phone calls and he is still "looking into it".

In the past 11 weeks I have been extremely patient and polite, but that patience is now wearing thin. I am owed almost £1000, in the month of February I was expecting my usual amount of around £1000 to be paid into my bank, just imagine my shock when I received only £306!!! That put me in serious debt with my bank and family that month, which I am still to pay back.

3 weeks ago I went to the trouble of scanning in my time sheets and corresponding wage slips, and added text to each one clearly outlining the hours I had worked with the amount I was paid, it's clear to see that I am owed money. This is why I feel that either the payroll manager is a 5 year old, or he is stalling. I've told him that if he needs more proof that I was at work when I say I was, he can check the signing in sheets which are in the head office that he works at (300 miles away from me, so I can't get them).

If you've got this far, has anyone got any advice on what I can do next? I don't think I'm going to get anywhere with emailing back and forth, there is nothing more I can do other than be persistent or take further action.

I've read on the govUK site that you can make a money claim to a business or employer, but that is going to cost me money, so I don't want to go down that route unless I have to!

Stevie_Palimo

I would look up the managing director and drop them an email advising that the situation is not on and has left you out of pocket, Hopefully this will get the payroll dept to deal with quicker for you.

kingfisherblue

Are you in a union? When my daughter's employer withheld payment (a much smaller amount) they constantly promised that it would be in her next pay - she had proved that she was owed the money. After the third time of ringing, she asked them if they realised it was illegal to withhold pay without reason or agreement, and told them that she would take it up with her union. She was paid the money owed.


It might be worth pointing out that you have provided evidence that you are owed the money and that it is illegal to withhold pay. I would get my union involved if you are in one.

Annisele

Do you think it's "can't pay", "won't pay", or "too disorganised to pay"?

If your employer is in such deep financial trouble that it "can't pay", then ultimately you need a new job. I'd be tempted to raise a formal grievance about the pay, but put most of my energy into looking elsewhere.

If it's one of the others, hopefully it'll be sorted without any legal action. Have you spoken to your direct line manager about it, or just payroll? In most of the places I've worked, a manager would put "my staff member hasn't been paid" pretty near the top of their priority list. If your boss doesn't do that, go to their boss and so on.

boats92

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Are you in a union?
It might be worth pointing out that you have provided evidence that you are owed the money and that it is illegal to withhold pay.

I'm not in a union, no. But I didn't realise it was actually illegal, I'll definitely be trying that line! thanks!

Annisele wrote: »

Do you think it's "can't pay", "won't pay", or "too disorganised to pay"?

Have you spoken to your direct line manager about it, or just payroll? In most of the places I've worked, a manager would put "my staff member hasn't been paid" pretty near the top of their priority list. If your boss doesn't do that, go to their boss and so on.

They're a pretty big company, clients all over the country, so I don't think it's down to financial difficulty. I have informed my manager yes, she seems just as useless as the payroll guy! In my next email I think I'll include the illegal line, along with demanding contact details of higher ups.

It's a good job I have the patience of a saint!!

moneysaver242

Have you tried speaking to HR? If they are seperate from payroll they might light a fire under them for you.
And tell them you are going to the union (they don't need to know that you're not in one!)