Pay Deductions

william2020

In February 2020, I began work for a school as an exam invigilator. We were asked to commit to work specific dates for the summer exams (we had to write yes/no on a chart which had all the dates written).  The summer exams were cancelled. 

They paid us in May, for the hours we committed to work for the month of May.  

The exams officer asked us via email, to come into work in June initially for two days. I specifically asked if we were going to get paid for the two days as the money received last month does not cover work completed this month (June). The exams officer wrote back saying yes we will be paid. 

We went into work on the 10.06.20. After work we had a meeting with the headteacher. She explained the capacity that they needed us in for this month and also stated that in order to get paid for the hours we committed to for June, we would have to work. We agreed to work for the month of June. 

Approx 1 week before the pay-date for the hours worked in June, the school informed us that we are not getting paid the full hours that we worked in June as they are deducting the hours which we should have worked in May. For example: 

if I committed to work 10 days in May (and was paid accordingly in May) but worked 15 days in June. They were deducting the 10 days and only paying me for 5 days in June. 

The headteacher is stating that she stated this was the basis on which we would work on the initial meeting with her on 10.06.20. None of the team (team of 5) had that understanding and/or interpretation. 

The viewpoint of the school was not communicated (verbally or in writing) at the time of us receiving the May payment. As I stated previously, the exam officer confirmed in writing that we would be paid for the initial 2 days worked in June thus forming a basis for the assumption that we would get paid for all days worked in June. Lastly, all 5 of us, team of invigilators never had that interpretation from the headteacher when we met with her on the 10.06.20 that we were working to make up the hours we were paid in May. 

How can I proceed?