Can an employee legally be left 8 weeks from start date to first pay day?

[CurlyWurlyCake]

8 weeks because of an admin mistake/payroll paperwork error.

I've googled but can't find anything. I assumed they would pay something minus tax owed etc on the first month pay day (no weekly pay) and then monthly after that.

[flowery]

There's no minimum timeframe for pay. As long as someone gets paid minimum wage and isn't discriminated against, details of pay including dates are between employer and employee. If they don't pay you on the correct date or withhold pay those would both be an issue but leaving it a few extra weeks isn't something you can realistically do anything about, sorry.

[CurlyWurlyCake]

Thank you flowery

[WipsGlitter]

You can try asking for a discretionary payment.

[Kewcumber]

Why don't you just ask them for an advance on your pay - don't wait for them to offer. I would have agreed as FD in previous companies.

[InfinitySeven]

This is relatively common if you join after the cut-off date for payroll....In my previous company, there needed to be a complete run after you joined, so it took 8 weeks on average for new starters to get paid.

They would start your season ticket loan on joining day, but no discretionary payments.

My current company managed to rush me through in 3 weeks, which was appreciated!

As far as I know, as long as pay isn't being unlawfully withheld, there is no law on how frequently you need to be paid.

[elfofftheshelf]

as others have said it is not uncommon, but most companies will provide an advance for these circumstances. Generally someone in payroll / finance will do a rough calculation and "advance" you your first month. This payment will then be deducted when you get your official pay in the next pay period.

[middlings]

If it's a payroll/admin error (i.e. you submitted all the relevant paperwork you needed to and started in advance of payroll cut off for the first month), then I would certainly ask for a discretionary payment.

In these circs, we'd definitely consider it.