Agency deduction from SMP - is this allowed?

[LumpishAndIllogical]

I had a deduction of £6.00 from my maternity pay on my payslip (first week of maternity leave, so first payment). For Example:

TOTAL PAY: £139.58
Monies Already Paid: £0.00
Journals: -£6.00
Donation to Charity: £0.00
Amount PAID to BANK: £133.58


What is 'journals'? And is this deduction ok? I can't find what 'journals' means on any search engine.

Also, does anyone have any experience/advice on dealing with Agencies and SMP.

Thanks in advance!

[TiredOfSleep]

If it wasn't enhanced mat pay, they can't take anything, although you pay tax as usual. Even childcare vouchers should continue to be paid without a deduction if started before mat leave.

[puddlejumpingqueen]

Journals doesn't mean anything specific it will mean they have manually removed something, could be anything. You will need to ask your HR/payroll department what it is.

[LumpishAndIllogical]

Thank you for the replies! I have emailed them and will see what they say.

I forgot to mention I am paid through an Umbrella company (the agency did not have a PAYE option, I took the job as it was a long term position 6 months +). Unfortunately I don't particularly trust Umbrella companies and dealing with them is a bit of nightmare sometimes.

[RandomMess]

Do they mean periodicals as in a subscription deduction?

[LumpishAndIllogical]

Hi Random
No definitely doesn't mean that, I don't have any subscription through them as they are an Umbrella company. They process my payroll and nothing else.

This is the first time anything has ever been deducted by 'journals' (I have been paid through them for over 6 months). I was assuming it might be a payroll/accounting term? And it's only appeared once my SMP started

[Fluffyears]

We call it journaling when we move cash from one place to another you 'journal it over' if it appears in the wrong account. Think it harks back to ye olde accountancy days when the used paper ledgers.

[RandomMess]

Yes journal is the term for moving money around but it's just so bizarre to have that noted on your payslip...

You need to ask the agency what the deduction is for. Just so bizarre!!!

[LumpishAndIllogical]

Hi everyone,

Turns out it was a mistake from a previous holiday payment being corrected!