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Original poster

Being paid 3 weeks in arrears - surely this isn't legal?

45 replies

Whenlifegiveslemons · 01/12/2025 15:43

I recently started a new job & the payroll cut off is 8th/9th of the month - one week after I started. Which means, I worked a month and got paid a week. I didn't know this until I got paid 2 days ago, wasn't advised prior and isnt stated in contract.

Payroll have said that the run is 8th - 8th/9th of each month & have confirmed when asked, that yes I am always going to be paid 3 weeks in arrears, until I leave.

Surely this cant be legal?! Can anyone give advise on this?

OP posts:
AngelofIslington · 01/12/2025 16:05

Unfortunately op that does sound correct and a standard payroll procedure. There has to be a cut off, it is a shame it hasn’t worked out for you but I can’t see how it would be illegal

NewCushions · 01/12/2025 16:13

Yes, it's extremely annoying and firms that do this should be a LOT clearer with staff upfront about it. DH's company changed to a four week payroll a few years ago and didn't mention this aspect so we came out that month more than half less than normal.

Dbank · 01/12/2025 16:15

Legal and quite common, mine has usually been four weeks in arrears.

messybutfun · 01/12/2025 16:17

I am not sure I understand correctly, so they are paying on the first of the month for the period between 8th to 7th of the previous two months effectively paying you like 7 weeks in arrears.

i’ve never heard of such a thing and I’ve been around a while.

Mochudubh · 01/12/2025 16:18

Absolutely normal. Our cut off is 14th/15th for pay on last working day of calendar month.

Pay is for the whole calendar month so 4 weeks in arrears for everyone.

If a new person starts on the 10th, they have 4 or 5 days to get their paperwork sorted or they won't be paid till following month (though I think there is the possibility of getting an interim payment in some circumstances).

Similarly, any overtime or additional hours will only be included in the same month's pay, if in before the cut off. Hours worked in the second half of the month will be paid next month.

itsthetea · 01/12/2025 16:18

It is legal I suspect as our place used to have a hardship fund that you could borrow against if that was causing big problems for new joiners

RacingAcrossTheSofa · 01/12/2025 16:20

Being paid in arrears is normal.

My employer has the option of being paid halfway through the month for the first two months to help people budget for what can be an awkward first couple of months.

Ifailed · 01/12/2025 16:24

It would have been in the contract you signed.

molifly · 01/12/2025 16:30

Completely legal. I recently started a jog and had to wait 3 months to be paid due to early cut offs.

NewCushions · 01/12/2025 16:30

Mochudubh · 01/12/2025 16:18

Absolutely normal. Our cut off is 14th/15th for pay on last working day of calendar month.

Pay is for the whole calendar month so 4 weeks in arrears for everyone.

If a new person starts on the 10th, they have 4 or 5 days to get their paperwork sorted or they won't be paid till following month (though I think there is the possibility of getting an interim payment in some circumstances).

Similarly, any overtime or additional hours will only be included in the same month's pay, if in before the cut off. Hours worked in the second half of the month will be paid next month.

Edited

I don't think this is what OP is talking about. On this basis, if you start on 8 January, you'd be paid for the entire time period of 8-31 January, because the payroll was done foro the calendar month on 15th?

I think what's happening with OP is that she started on 1 January, and the payroll cut off is 8 January and at the point of cut off, they ONLY pay for whatever work has been done up until that point ie , in her case, 1-8 January. Whereas everyone else would hav ebeen paid a ful lmonth's salary but for work done from 9 December - 8 January.

WensleydaleCrumbs · 01/12/2025 16:39

This is what happens at our place too, although it is stipulated in the contract clearly and we verbally confirm this with the new joiner multiple times.

Our cut off is later though on the 20th of any given month so payroll have time to process things before the bacs payments on the last working day of the month.

We then get paid for any working hours from the 21st of the prior month to the 20th of this month.

As far as I was aware, this is a very common practice nowadays.

Bromptotoo · 01/12/2025 16:41

Started work with a well known charity on 15-09-15. Pay cut off was 14th with pay made on 20th.

Didn't get paid until 20 October.

TBH not a massive issue as I'd savings and other income as well as partner working. Could probably have got an advance if I'd been in straits.

Does the employer here offer an advance?

Many years earlier, aged 18, I'd joined the Civil Service on 16th of the month. After payroll closed but in those days rather than waiting until you'd been 'onboarded' there was a 'stop button' for no shows until very late in the month.

Mochudubh · 01/12/2025 19:07

NewCushions · 01/12/2025 16:30

I don't think this is what OP is talking about. On this basis, if you start on 8 January, you'd be paid for the entire time period of 8-31 January, because the payroll was done foro the calendar month on 15th?

I think what's happening with OP is that she started on 1 January, and the payroll cut off is 8 January and at the point of cut off, they ONLY pay for whatever work has been done up until that point ie , in her case, 1-8 January. Whereas everyone else would hav ebeen paid a ful lmonth's salary but for work done from 9 December - 8 January.

Show quote history

I think I know where you're coming from. The OP needs to come back and clarify.

TartanMammy · 01/12/2025 19:54

Completely normal, that's how it's worked every place I've been employed, with the exception of weekly paid part time job when I was a teen.

Original poster
Whenlifegiveslemons · 01/12/2025 21:15

Yes I'd have appreciated it being much clearer when I began! I'd probably not have even started the job as im 3 weeks down on pay, it costs me to drive to work & I can't recoup that money till I leave.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whenlifegiveslemons · 01/12/2025 21:16

Mochudubh · 01/12/2025 19:07

I think I know where you're coming from. The OP needs to come back and clarify.

Show quote history

Yes she response is correct. So the cut off hit after my first week so only got paid a week but worked a month. Then going forward -- it's really messed me up. Who can afford working for 3 weeks without pay, to then not have it paid until you leave?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Whenlifegiveslemons · 01/12/2025 21:18

TartanMammy · 01/12/2025 19:54

Completely normal, that's how it's worked every place I've been employed, with the exception of weekly paid part time job when I was a teen.

I've had a mid month payroll cut off before now, but cut off the first week of the month seems totally inconsiderate to employees. Two weeks i could suck up but 3 weeks unpaid when it costs in fuel to drive to work, I feel is so wrong.

OP posts:
Original poster
Whenlifegiveslemons · 01/12/2025 21:21

Bromptotoo · 01/12/2025 16:41

Started work with a well known charity on 15-09-15. Pay cut off was 14th with pay made on 20th.

Didn't get paid until 20 October.

TBH not a massive issue as I'd savings and other income as well as partner working. Could probably have got an advance if I'd been in straits.

Does the employer here offer an advance?

Many years earlier, aged 18, I'd joined the Civil Service on 16th of the month. After payroll closed but in those days rather than waiting until you'd been 'onboarded' there was a 'stop button' for no shows until very late in the month.

They offer an advance at a cost/fee a week after pay day - not helpful when you have direct debits on the 1stm I really think it's awful, it a min wage job, it's nearly Christmas and employees are being expected to work 3 weeks in arrears? I'm glad im not full time as that's significantly more money.

OP posts:
Nearly50omg · 01/12/2025 21:22

I’d be speaking to HR and your manager and tell them bluntly you can’t afford to be 3 weeks down pay wise and you want paying the 3 weeks with this months salary too! Xmas is coming for a start!!! They surely can sort this now?!?! It’s 2025 not 1985!!

swingingbytheseat · 01/12/2025 21:23

It’s shit, that’s why I went freelance

dunroamingfornow · 01/12/2025 21:46

Sorry if you’ve already answered this but can you ask for an advance? I’ve signed off two today for people who started after the payroll cut off

AirborneElephant · 02/12/2025 07:22

It’s a bit shit, but unfortunately quite common and definitely legal. I take it it’s an hourly paid job with timesheets / shifts rather than a set monthly salary? So they’ll only pay time actually worked before payroll cutoff rather than paying the full month. I had one of those back as a student - nice the next term but completely useless for actually paying my bills during the summer!

I don’t know what to suggest other than looking for another role that has a later cutoff. It will normalise and you could look at it as a bit of an extra cushion in case of redundancy or sickness?

LoudSnoringDog · 02/12/2025 07:24

This is common. Even in the NHS

DiscoBelle · 02/12/2025 07:30

Perfectly normal.
I started my job on the 6th of the month. The cut off was the 5th, pay day was on the 12th, so I got 1 days pay, then had to wait until the 12th of the following month to be paid normally.

Jayne35 · 02/12/2025 18:46

Very normal. In all my jobs there have been different pay periods and cut off dates. I work in HR and this is all advised on first day induction to staff.