No pay for two months. What can I do?

[AllDirections]

I work for the local council and I have to submit a pay claim at the end of each month and I get paid at the end of the following month.

I didn't get paid last month because the claim was lost inhouse. Bit of a pain but these things happen and it was a small claim (but enough to feed us all for a month). Today I've been informed that because of a problem with the internal mail the pay claims submitted at the end of last month didn't arrive with HR on time and they're refusing to process them. This is a massive problem for me now as I also won't get paid at the of this month either so two months with no pay and I'm panicking now. Right at the beginning of the school holidays too when I always spend more money than usual

I will give HR a ring but before I do does anyone know if I have any right to be paid as per the agreement? Just to confuse things I don't have a contract but I have been paid in this same way for 9 years.

If you submitted your claims by the deadlines expected, e.g. to your manager by the required deadline, then I'd ring HR and explain that you met the requirements (submitting the claim to your manager on time) and you expect them to make another payroll run if necessary. If they don't agree to this, I'd suggest you mention that not paying your wages could be considered a breach of contract (you don't have to have a written contract - if they have paid you by a certain date each month that's sufficient for you to rely on) and unlawful deduction of wages and you could make an employment tribunal claim. You could soften it by saying that of course you don't want to have to go down that route, and believe it can all be resolved amicably by them doing an additional payroll run.

Thanks snowgirl1 I'll give them a ring. A lot of people are not going to get paid this month so I'm sure I won't be the only one phoning.

They can put this right if you insist. Keep on it

Why are they not paying last month's at least?

Go to them, might be worth approaching payroll if hr are rubbish. Tell them you did everything on time, last month your paperwork was lost, this month internal mail cocked up, but you need an advance on your wages now because of financial hardship. As long as the evidence that you're owed the money is there somewhere, they will be able to give you a sum (less tax and NI) that will be deducted from your pay when it finally gets paid. This happens often. Don't be fobbed off. They won't do a pay run for you (or at least it's very unlikely as they can cost a lot) but no reason they can't give you an advance. It is their fault and you will suffer without it (stress the suffering).

Is there any chance that last months claim made it to HR in time for the pay run?

I'd have thought making an extra transfer would be cheaper than sorting out overdraft payments etc for people who go overdrawn because of this.

Hope you get some money soon

I've just spoken to payroll and told them how problematic this is going to be for me and that I need to be paid. Someone is going to get back to me. They said that it's an issue right across the departments so it sounds like payroll have put their foot down about getting claims by their deadline. I can see their point but its real people who will suffer as a result of issues between departments. I had already checked if my claim had made it through on time but even though I got mine in a few days early, all the claims were sent to payroll together.

The last two months I've earned less than I would get if I was on benefits. I feel like just quitting! But I won't

Stress the financial hardship. Lots of departments don't realise that payroll deadlines are non-negotiable, when things are sent late they miss deadlines and can't be paid. It's a common problem. But if you are going to suffer because of your department's error, then that is not acceptable. Don't take no for an answer. Ask for an advance.

Good news, they're going to do another pay run

And new procedures have been put into place to make sure this doesn't happen again.

Great stuff :)

I'm pleased it's all getting sorted. There must be loads of people in the same position.