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AIBU?

To be so upset and stressed about this pay situation?

59 replies

SharkiraSharkira · 28/02/2017 19:57

I started a new job a few weeks ago. It's a start up company and a small independent, which I actually like about it. I was told when I started that it would monthly pay, which is not at all ideal for me but I don't have a choice so I'll have to make do.

My pay date is mid month which, due to when I started, means I will receive no money until mid march. This means I had to use all my remaining savings to make ends meet until pay day but it was just about doable.

Except today I find out that rather than being paid for a full month on pay day I will only be getting 2 weeks worth of money. Which means I am now absolutely completely screwed financially and I have no idea what to do. To make matters worse, my transport has broken down and I need money to fix it, which I don't have. I'm a uni student and only work part time for NMW so I was never going to be on mega bucks but now all my plans money wise have been completely fucked up.

I'm so angry with myself for not getting clarification earlier about when the cut off date for pay was earlier and planning accordingly although tbh I was so broke I doubt it would have made a difference anyway. Spent most of the evening since I've been home crying because I'm so stressed about how I'm going to afford I live over the next 2 months and incredibly guilty because it is ds' birthday next month and now I can't afford anything for him. Feel like the world's shittest mother Sad

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citybushisland · 28/02/2017 20:00

Go to HR/your boss, explain and ask for an advance/loan against your salary?

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Sassypants82 · 28/02/2017 20:03

When did you start the job? Do you work time in hand?

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SharkiraSharkira · 28/02/2017 20:08

Sorry sassy, I'm not sure what you mean very emotional and not thinking straight, sorry Sad I started beginning/mid February. I wasn't told that I would be working X number of weeks in arrears if that's what you mean? It was never mentioned at all, I should have checked though, hence why I'm so pissed off at myself.

I'm going to have to ask for an advance although I doubt they will give me one as it has not been very busy so far and they are not making much money because the owner refuses to pay for any advertising. It's so embarrassing having to admit to your boss you are really really poor but I don't really have a choice.

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Babyroobs · 28/02/2017 20:15

Does you Uni have a student hardship fund that you could access?

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SharkiraSharkira · 28/02/2017 20:32

Not really baby, my uni has one but I can't access it due to the fact that they only take your income and not outgoings into account and the threshold is reeeeally low. So because I work and have a student loan, on paper my income is too much to qualify.

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Scrowy · 28/02/2017 20:33

Its really common to have to ask for an advance on wages in this situation. I've been in your shoes and on the otherside as a manager. They arent going to think anything less of you, but they dont know its a problem unless you ask!

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NoraDora · 28/02/2017 20:34

0% credit card would be ideal.

Is it a cash flow problem rather than an overall income issue? If so, use the credit card now and pay it back when get paid. Only spend what you can pay back.

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bagpackbagpack · 28/02/2017 20:37

I would ask your boss about an advance and explain the situation re not knowing you wouldn't be getting paid the full amount and car needing fixing.

It's probably easier in a smaller company for an advance as there isn't as much red tape.

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isseywithcats · 28/02/2017 20:38

have you tried your bank when i was in this situation i asked the bank to extend my overdaraft for 3 months and then reduced my over draft officially when my wages came in at proper months pay rates

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picklemepopcorn · 28/02/2017 20:40

The foodbank will help in this situation, as well.

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topcat2014 · 28/02/2017 20:41

How is your salary calculated?

For example (where I work)

Salaried staff get a fixed amount every month, (on 28th) to cover that whole calendar month.

Hourly paid staff get paid for hours worked between 21st of one month and 20th of the next - again paid on 28th.

If you started mid Feb (having just missed payday) I don't understand how you can get paid for just two weeks in Mid march.

It is rare for employees, who are monthly paid such as you, to be paid this much in arrears.

I have, in the past, given advances to be deducted over the next three months or so.

It is important to get your contract of employment, and other information, to hand - so you know exactly what is going on.

PM me if you need any further guidance (I am a finance director, by the way) about specific figures.

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WipsGlitter · 28/02/2017 20:42

When exactly did you start?

We are paid in the middle of the month and get two weeks in arrears and two in advance.

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Lapinlapin · 28/02/2017 20:45

I agree with talking to your boss and seeing if you can be paid earlier.

If not, as Nora says, a 0% credit card would be good. Provided you pay the minimum balance each month and clear the total balance by the end of the term (2 years, 3 years whatever) you won't pay any interest at all.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/best-0-credit-cards

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alltouchedout · 28/02/2017 20:48

Are an overdraft or credit card are an option, especially if you can get zero/ low interest?
I'd avoid a payday loan unless the alternative was unbearable (no food, essential toiletries or electricity/ gas sort of thing). I've had provident cash loans in the past when very hard up and the interest was astronomical although the weekly repayments were small.
I guess if there were family or friends who could help you'd have done that already...
Try not to be down on yourself. You're not a shit mother- you work, you go to uni, you're building the two of you a better future. How much money yoy have doesn't define your worth as a parent.
Can your student union offer any help at all?

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foxyloxy78 · 28/02/2017 20:52

This doesn't really make sense to me at all. As top at said, you really need to look at your contract and make sure you k kw what's going on and get them to explain it. How long has this company been operating? Are there staff members who have been around for lo gee than you? Talk to them to see if they pay on time. I worked at a start up who very rarely paid on time and this makes matters very difficult.

Explain to them that you joined in mid Feb and therefore need to be paid mid march as was communicated to you when you signed the contract.

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downwardfacingdog · 28/02/2017 20:56

I think you need to query this. If you are getting paid in the middle of March and will have been working a full month by then. You should be receiving at least a month's pay if you are working entirely in arrears, or 6 weeks pay if you are working 2 weeks in arrears/two weeks in advance as is common with mid-month paydays. You shouldn't have to have a gap between the period you are being paid for and the payday.

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SharkiraSharkira · 28/02/2017 20:59

Sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm currently going through insolvency so I cannot borrow anything of any description even if my credit rating wasn't appalling, which it is! so unfortunately credit cards/overdrafts are not an option. Can't borrow from friends or family either as they just don't have it to lend.

Feel so awful. Ds is severely disabled but knows when his birthday is and will expect presents/a party, especially since his brother's birthday was earlier this month. I probably shouldn't have spent so much on ds1's birthday (nothing extravagant but more that I could comfortably afford) but it was a 'big' birthday and I wanted to make it special, plus I was counting on my wages to pay for ds2's birthday. Now that's all gone. I know birthdays and presents are the least of my worries right now but I'm just heartbroken to think I won't be able to give him the same level of 'birthday' as his brother had Sad

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SharkiraSharkira · 28/02/2017 21:03

Re: the pay, I started on the 12th. It's a start up company so everyone started at the same time as they weren't open before then if you see what I mean. Pay date is the 10th, cut off date is today (28th). So I will get paid for 2 weeks (part time so only actually 8 days worth) on the 10th March.

I haven't been given a contract yet but apparently when I do it will be a zero hours contract.

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topcat2014 · 28/02/2017 21:17

13 days to calculate pay is excessive, in my view.

However, it looks like everyone is in the same boat.

Keep a very detailed log of hours, and watch them like a hawk.

Get your co-workers to do the same.

Very best of luck.

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SharkiraSharkira · 28/02/2017 21:19

Fortunately I am keeping a record of my hours, as is everyone else, but as you say 13 days to calculate the pay seems ridiculous to me, especially when it's a company with only about 8 employees!

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missbishi · 28/02/2017 21:22

Can you ask your local council about a crisis loan? They might go by another name these days but the main thing is, you don't have to be in receipt of benefits to apply always apply for more than you need as it's rare to get the full amount

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StatisticallyChallenged · 28/02/2017 21:25

We're a small start up of similar size; our staff are paid at month end and are paid right up to the end of the month. We do our payroll internally and it gets run maybe 2 days before we pay the staff; when we pay them we assume they will be in for any days in between and if they aren't it gets adjusted off the next month.

Even when we used an external payroll company it was only about 4 days before payday, and we still did it the same way.

13 days is a big lag; tbh it would give me possible concerns about their cashflow/capital situation (i.e. I suspect they don't have much cash behind them so need to get money in to pay even the first few weeks, hence the long lag)

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bagpackbagpack · 28/02/2017 21:42

Sorry to here about your insolvency (I work in the industry so if you have any questions feel free to DM me! Disclaimer I am not qualified to give insolvency advice but have worked in the industry for a decade so can give insight)

If your DC is disabled are you in touch with anyone on a regular basis who might be able to direct you to a grant or crisis loan? Like a support worker or consultant (even if you don't think it's there job it's worth an ask).

I assume your in an IVA? Or Trust deed if in Scotland. So you also really need to talk to your nominated insolvency practitioner. They might put a payment break on for a couple of months if you can afford to pay a bit extra once your employed. (So no need to propose a variation to creditors) You really need to prioritise your payments (if you are indeed in an IVA) to your Plan, or you risk failing your arrangement and lose the protection from ballifs etc.

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SharkiraSharkira · 28/02/2017 21:49

I'm on a DRO so I'm not making any payments but thanks for the advice.

Dcs don't live with me currently so I'm not eligible for any kind of help.

As far as I'm aware crisis loans don't exist anymore. I'm also not eligible for any other kinds of benefits due to being a student.

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Sofabitch · 28/02/2017 21:51

My uni has a hardship fund they offer emergency loans and grants for exactly this situation. Go and speak to the finance department

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