Can they deduct wages?

bettyboo71

I work part time in a shop. Last week, there was a structural issue, and the electricity was cut off for safety reasons.
The shop was shut for several days, and they had minimal staff going in to deal with what work they could. Our area manager has informed us that head office say we will not be paid for the days we didn't attend work. However, we do all have contracted hours, and were available and willing to work. They were the ones who said we didn't need to go in. Can they justify not paying us for our contracted hours?

sangie595

Can they justify it? No idea. I haven't heard their justification.

On the face of it, if you have contracted hours then you are correct. But any concern that is large enough to have a head office and area managers ought to know that. So what is their explanation for their position? Without hearing that we can't possibly be sure whether they have a lawful position or not. Have you asked? If you haven't, you need to. Then come back with that answer.

tacpot12

Your contract of employment may have a provision regarding payment in situations beyond their control. You should try to check your contract of employment, but I would also try to find out what the structural problem was - if it was something that your employer could have dealt with at an earlier date, but didn't in order to save money, then the issue wasn't beyond their control. You might find this out if you ask your manager or colleagues, or anyone else who might know what the structural issue was.

If you are a member of a union, they will also be able to help, and if you are not, join one now. You never know when it might help you.

Les79

tacpot12 wrote: »

If you are a member of a union, they will also be able to help, and if you are not, join one now. You never know when it might help you.

Though they may not help OP in this specific case because they joined AFTER the situation had arisen.

ACAS could be a good shout too though...

sangie595

tacpot12 wrote: »

Your contract of employment may have a provision regarding payment in situations beyond their control.

A contract of employment cannot overrule the law. Which is why it is important that the OP finds out what the employer is saying is their justification. It would be unlawful for a contract to say that they won't pay employees if they don't want to, within their control or not!