New Job - Pay Date Issue

JackJack1987

Hello. First ever post here so I apologize in advance if I am doing something wrong.

I started a new job on the 18th May and been told straight away that I won't get paid in May but end of June instead. I missed the cut off point which is 15th of the month - fair play.

So I am patiently waiting for the 26th June where I am supposed to receive my first paycheck, however, I only been told today that I will only get paid for the two weeks in May, which covers the period from 18th to 29th May. Apparently the pay system here works a month behind, so at the end of July I will get paid for June. I don't have access to my contract at the moment but my offer letter, which has details about the pay, doesn't mention this scheme at all.

I have never encountered a system like that and was wondering if I should be alert?

lincroft1710

Some companies do pay 1 month in arrears

Comms69

It's legal if that's the main question. It's not a good sign though, and i'd be wary of employers like that.

maisie_cat

Comms69 said:

It's legal if that's the main question. It's not a good sign though, and i'd be wary of employers like that.

Actually quite sensible, saves having to go back and check that nothing happened in the previous month that needs adjusting.
I worked for a company years ago that paid SSP for sickness, there were people who regularly went sick the last week of the month and there had been instances of failure to adjust their pay the next month.

[Deleted User]

I’ve worked for a company that paid a month in arrears and it was hard until the first proper full months pay came in. 

ToxicWomble

Why be wary if a company pays one month in arrears ?
I though most employers paid in arrears. The NHS does for sure.
It wouldn’t make much sense to pay an employee  for work they haven’t done yet.
Unfortunately OP got the short end of the stick with cut-off dates 

JReacher1

ToxicWomble said:

Why be wary if a company pays one month in arrears ?
I though most employers paid in arrears. The NHS does for sure.
It wouldn’t make much sense to pay an employee  for work they haven’t done yet.
Unfortunately OP got the short end of the stick with cut-off dates 

I think you’re misunderstanding slightly. 

At the end of June the OP will be paid for May, at the end of July they would be paid for June. In the NHS when you get paid at the end of the month you’re paid for that month. 

For the OP the company is always keeping one months pay in reserve. 

JackJack1987

JReacher1 said:

ToxicWomble said:

Why be wary if a company pays one month in arrears ?
I though most employers paid in arrears. The NHS does for sure.
It wouldn’t make much sense to pay an employee  for work they haven’t done yet.
Unfortunately OP got the short end of the stick with cut-off dates 

I think you’re misunderstanding slightly. 

At the end of June the OP will be paid for May, at the end of July they would be paid for June. In the NHS when you get paid at the end of the month you’re paid for that month. 

For the OP the company is always keeping one months pay in reserve. 

Exactly that. This is definitely the first time for me to be paid this way.

In every other normal company I worked for, the pay would be at the end of the month and the cut off point of handing in your payclaims was by the 20th.

Within the current system, I started on the 18th May and not only I did not receive the payment for May, but after 6 weeks waiting I will get paid only for the first two weeks and not see another pay for 4 weeks. Pretty much impossible scenario if you have any sort of financial obligations which I do.

sharpe106

Not sure if it is legal or not but if that is what the contract says and they have done it for a long time they probably can. As long as you get paid I doubt there is too much you can do about it you either agree to it or work elsewhere.

Savvy_Sue

You could ask for an advance on your June salary so that you get two more equal payments for May and June. They don't have to do this, but they might agree. 

JackJack1987

Thanks for all the messages and tips, really appreciate it.