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AIBU?

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Original poster

Not been paid

37 replies

Helpme17 · 23/03/2025 14:54

So I’m self employed and I have got so advice about my constant late payments will they just laugh at me or dose this stand?

My Final Demand
I am claiming the following amounts:

  1. Unpaid Wages: For the six weeks I was unpaid during the summer holiday in July 2024: £900.
  2. Travel Expenses: Travelling 60 miles
  3. every Tuesday over the past year, calculated at the HMRC-approved mileage rate of 45p per mile: £1,296.
  4. Late Payment Fees: For six months of late payments (October, November, December, January, February, and March), using a standard fee of £40 per late payment: £240.
  5. Compensation for Financial Stress:
  6. Considering the financial burden and significant stress caused by these delays, I am claiming £300 in compensation.
Total Final Amount• .£2736.
OP posts:
Radish81 · 23/03/2025 15:23

Please say the school at least saw your DBS Op?

Bramshott · 23/03/2025 15:21

Did you send them invoices with these items (eg. travel) on and they have deducted the travel?

I would be careful in your terminology SE people are not paid wages - something like "agreed consultancy fee"?

I think you're on a hiding to nothing with compensation for stress and financial hardship I'm afraid. Irritating though it is, a lot of businesses pay invoices really late.

Feelingstrange2 · 23/03/2025 15:17

PhilippaGeorgiou · 23/03/2025 15:10

It seems from your other thread that this is a school and you did not work or have any agreement to work in the summer holidays, so why do you think they will pay you wages?

So if this is correct, I would be very surprised that a school wouldn't have required some sort of written terms in place before the engagement commenced.

That should be a starting point.

faerietales · 23/03/2025 15:13

You're self-employed so what does it say in your contract and why have you continued to keep these clients when they don't pay you?

jan2310 · 23/03/2025 15:11

Is this just from one client or several different clients? What terms and conditions have you agreed with them?

PhilippaGeorgiou · 23/03/2025 15:10

It seems from your other thread that this is a school and you did not work or have any agreement to work in the summer holidays, so why do you think they will pay you wages?

rubyslippers · 23/03/2025 15:09

what’s in the agreement with the client and what are the payment terms (which are usually in your invoice as well)

PhilippaGeorgiou · 23/03/2025 15:06

Did you agree these things in a contract? You cannot simply make up things like late-payment fees or travel costs if you have never agreed them with your client. And I doubt you'll see any compensation for "stress".

SamphiretheTervosaur · 23/03/2025 15:00

Look up "letter before action". You are beyond one final polite request. Tell them that this is the last letter you will send them before starting a claim in what used to be the small claims court.

The procedure and sample letters are easily found online

I have always had a good result and never had to start a claim

Radish81 · 23/03/2025 14:58

You continued to work for them for months despite not being paid?

Feelingstrange2 · 23/03/2025 14:57

If you are self.employed do you have some sort of letter of engagement.that has these amounts agreed?

Did you actually work the summer holidays?

If they suddenly use someone else will you be in financial distress?

What communications have you already had?

I understand you are vexed by this but if you are truly self employed then it may be better approached slightly differently but that depends on a lot of factors not described

Poppyseeds79 · 23/03/2025 14:57

Depends on who used your services I guess? If it was an individual vs a business then you'd be looking at small claims court?