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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to be annoyed by being paid for work via a pocketmoney card?

411 replies

hamptonhangingpork · 14/11/2017 12:23

Just want to see if I am being unreasonable here.

I've picked up a job as a Christmas Temp at Tesco this Winter, gave in my bank details as requested for being paid as per the letter contract.

However, in the post today, I've received a Tuxedo prepay card. Yes kids, the same thing you'd give your teenager. I will be paid through this pre-loaded card to save Tesco on their administrative fees.

Infantilising at best I know, however I could suck it up were it not for the fact that it will cost me money to use for bills, direct debits etc. etc. I know I can use it in the shops, but I feel like it's an extra burden on those of us who are picking up extra hours working in a shop. You know, just to pay bills.

What do you think? Has anyone else had this experience?

And for the record, no, the pocketmoney card was not mentioned at all in any of the recruitment gumpf, contract or anywhere outside a Google search which has yielded that Tesco are using it for their temp staff.

OP posts:
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hamptonhangingpork · 14/11/2017 14:08

To answer a pp, I'm pretty sure the bank details I copied from my bank card was correct.

And even if there was a banking issue, is picking up a telephone to query or mentioning it when I came in to work much slower than populating a Tuxedo online account? Without mentioning it anywhere on the joining pack / contract?

I'm trying to get through to someone to opt out but you know, Tesco.

OP posts:
CherryChasingDotMuncher · 14/11/2017 14:09

That’s bloody outrageous!! Surely you can opt out?

I LOVE your diagram BTW Grin

pinkblink · 14/11/2017 14:10

For logging into your online payslip..... your employee number should be on your clock card, and the code you need to register will be on the bottom of your paper payslip which you should get this weekend as it's payday Friday

AntiHop · 14/11/2017 14:13

This is insulting and completely inappropriate. I am raging at how badly so many employees are treated, on this and many other issues.

I hope you can bring this to the attention of some journalists. Perhaps also contact TUC?

PerkingFaintly · 14/11/2017 14:14

Yes, I immediately thought "truck system", LurkingHusband. If the only way to get money out, other than by using the card at participating retailers, is to pay a fee at an ATM that seems very dodgy.

Can't use it to pay the window cleaner then.

What about eBay? The car boot sale? Stall on the market?

Butterymuffin · 14/11/2017 14:16

Contact Guardian Money too. They ought to be interested.

Thingywhatsit · 14/11/2017 14:23

Hi op

Double check that your account number is actually on your bank card - some aren't like natwest.

LaurieMarlow · 14/11/2017 14:26

That's absolutely horrific. Time to publicise and shame.

LurkingHusband · 14/11/2017 14:31

As a backstop, if push comes to shove, you could always launch a moneyclaim online claim against Tesco for the value of your wages.

I imagine they would try and defend it, so a court can start looking at whether being paid this way discharges their debt ? I suspect the answer would rhyme with "cough", as I can't see them being allowed to pay a Tuxedo card into court to settle a judgement. (Although I would love to be there if they tried Smile)

(At this point, maybe this could be moved to Legal Matters ?)

My next thought is that they are treating you like a customer who has returned an item without proof of purchase Shock

Dozer · 14/11/2017 15:12

Outrageous. Do other companies do this too?

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 14/11/2017 15:13

Name and shame..

Low wage job then worsen by making you pay to use it...

Also you're not a teenager spending birthday money... You're a fully paid up member of adult... And you want to use the money as cash...

Pengggwn · 14/11/2017 15:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

hamptonhangingpork · 14/11/2017 18:08

Hi everyone,

Sorry for disappearing. I've rang round and I'm stuck with the card apparently.

I contacted Acas and in brief, I have two options:

  1. If the cost of getting to my money brings me under minimum wage, I can report to Hmrc and they will get me the difference between the deductions and 7.50. Which could in real terms amount to very little.
  1. Complete my contract. Chase up higher hr figures (like they give a hoot about a temp) and then go after them for breach of contract for not paying me in the manner in which I was contracted to. This will take money and months.

I think I am going to pick the third option. Give my weeks' notice as per my contract tomorrow and chalk it up to experience. Once I have my final "wage", I will report to Hmrc and recoup what I can

Thanks everyone. Star

OP posts:
Kelsoooo · 14/11/2017 18:17

That's so shit OP.

And to the PP who blamed the Torys....this has been occurring far longer than they've been in tower, so don't be so ducking stupid

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 14/11/2017 18:25

I was going to do my Tesco order tonight but I'm going to Ocado it instead.

No way am I spending money with them while they ride rough shod over employment rights.

Butterymuffin · 14/11/2017 18:43

Tweet Tesco or comment on their Facebook to say this is why you aren't working there / shopping for them.

expatinscotland · 14/11/2017 18:46

PLEASE go public with this! They are completely unethical to pay people with a card that costs them to redeem for money and/or has a limit how much currency they can redeem against it. They are shafting the employee to save money and it's completely immoral.

Pebbles16 · 14/11/2017 18:47

As much as I loathe "newspapers" taking threads and making news of them, this would be one where it might be a plan. I will be boycotting Tesco.

kittykat798 · 14/11/2017 18:50

Hi, this is not legal. You have to be paid via PAYE otherwise you will be made liable for your unpaid NIC/Income tax. Seems like a tax dodging scheme to me and we all know Tesco are dodgy.

ArchchancellorsHat · 14/11/2017 18:58

Screw Tesco - I'm sorry you couldn't get it sorted OP. I wouldn't feel particularly obliged to work my notice if I were you. They already owe you plenty of money you can't use.

expatinscotland · 14/11/2017 18:59

I'd put in notice and then develop a convenient D&V bug.

AdalindSchade · 14/11/2017 19:02

This is fucking ridiculous
You need the money in your actual bank account. What if you live nowhere near a branch? You'll have payments coming out and a useless card that you have to schlep to a bank to withdraw the money and pay it in, which you may have to wait several days/a week to do if you work during bank opening hours Hmm
Shitbags

lougle · 14/11/2017 19:07

Bank transfers and purchases using the balance are free, so it won't cost you anything to access your wages, or to use your wages to pay for things.

to be annoyed by being paid for work via a pocketmoney card?
reetgood · 14/11/2017 19:11

@lougle I don’t see anywhere on the fees or the screengrab that say bank transfers are free? Also purchases are free for the paid monthly tuxedo card.... that costs the use £9.95 a month....

reetgood · 14/11/2017 19:12

ETA the bank transfer in the screenshot relates to the cost of topping up your card, not transferring from the card to a bank