To feel pissed off about this (salary)

I would tell them you’re really annoyed by this lack of awareness and you would like to re-negotiate. I did in last job, got an additional £5k a year

I hope you weren’t Mrs angry when you spoke to HR. There’s probably a justifiable reason like you haven even worked a full month!

Me neither. Your offer was the amount for a full time role and your contract says your role is full time.

@FlappicusSmith I think this could be read as an explanation of the 36/37 you've been paid.
If the spinal point is the industry standard also 37 hours, but full time for this job is 36 hours that is the calculation. The two factors aren't directly connected in the contract but very misleading if so.
The real issue is that not being explained to you before you accepted the job.
Unless this is a well known variation in your line of work I think you'd have strong grounds to challenge and agree a solution that gives you the gross salary you expected.

Just to add- there is no reason to be angry or go in guns blazing.

Just ask the question and then review the response accordingly.

As someone who processes payroll, I suggest you speak directly to them rather than speculate. It will not offend anyone.

I often have starters asking me about their first pay, and its a quick conversation and a great way to say hello too.

Most can also assist with the contract wording too i.e. If it stated pro rata anywhere or stated that standard working hours in the company are XX hours

Just ask them, as we don't know and are speculating too

But genuinely, don’t over estimate the relative options here. 100% speak to you employer, explain the situation, try and sort it.

but remember the legal obligation they owe you is “notice” which I bet is one week.

They can dismiss you. If they do, you don’t have unfair dismissal rights yet. It’s not discrimination. Unlikely to be whistleblowing.

if you aren’t happy and they don’t sack you - your choices are - like it or lump it.

so I’d be winning hearts and minds - positively looking for a solution.

and here is the thing - even if you manage to argue a legal case….that will take years to go through the courts, they might but pay up, you have a duty to mitigate.

so before following advice that has you storming into an HR meeting with grievance in hand…think about what you are trying to achieve and he best and most realistic way to get there.

PS - I bet this is some simple mix up and once you speak to them nicely it’s resolved. If you go in looking for a fight you might just end up with a P45.

Call ACAS for fee advice

Could it be because there is a cut off for payroll? Ours I think is 22nd of the month. So anything worked after that rolls into the next month even though we get paid on 25th.

Then speak to your manager or payroll team, whichever is the appropriate route at your place as you deserve clarity. There maybe a simple reason but I can't think what.

It may not be a significant amount but you are entitled to it and over a few years it will make a difference.

Good luck!

If it’s your first pay it could be a pay period point. Like you get paid on the last day of the month but the pay period runs to the 28th so month one is short.

in any case - I would very politely query with HR / manager. But don’t be rude or a pain. You contract will also have a probationary notice period.

so - you are right to clarify.
it’s not smart to be a pain about it. They’ll be able to end your contract for no reason.

win hearts and minds. Otherwise the whole “cut off nose to spite face” will come into play.

In my company your first recourse would be to query/raise with your line manager, who may then involve the HR or Finance Payroll Team as needed. I’m not sure of the process at your workplace but you absolutely should raise this. Ultimately, you’ve accepted a role on the basis of receiving a specified salary per annum in exchange for working a specific number of hours per week. If there is nothing in your contract or any relevant internal policies that would account for the difference, you have been underpaid and it needs to be corrected in your next payroll, ensuring that not only is the underpaid amount back paid, but that your future payroll amounts will be for the correct, full amount.

Is it an NHS role?

That's unacceptable. I'd not accept it.

Look at your offer letter, does it give your hours of work and then salary agreed (XX) but in brackets pro rata? Or is this in your contract? If not, check with your pay team and they need to pay you what is in the contract.

This spine thing looks dodgy to me, and if it doesn't say pro rata on your offer letter/contract, then they are under paying you. When you asked AI did you explain you were in the UK as I don't think you could get away with what they are suggesting here.

If it does say pro rata then you are scuppered.

However could it be something else that is amiss, have you handed your P45 in because if not, you maybe on emergency tax?

Or maybe they don't pay from 1st to last of month, may they pay from 29th to 28th so you have missed a day in the working month - just check with HR.

Use your payslip and check its right using something like The Salary Calculator - 2025 / 2026 Tax Calculator

So you started on 2 February and got paid when? Money coming on the 27th? You haven't worked a full month. Could that be the culprit and it will right itself in March?

Asking HR for some clarity on your salary is not being annoying as suggested above
🙄

If HR comes back saying it’s a pro-rata amount, just refer them back to the wording in the contract that says X salary for 36hr per week and ask them to fix their mistakes asap.

If it is the 36/37 hours thing can you offer to do a further hour a week to get the full load? Checking emails in the evening for 8 mins per day =56 mins extra per week

Yeah that’s a Sunday so if you started on that 2nd I’d have paid you 20/260 (maybe 262, I haven’t done payroll for a few years) of annual for that first month.

They surely have to pay you what it states in the contract.

You started on a Sunday?