Underpaid

[underpaidgrr]

I've name changed in case my payroll manager or HR Manager is on here!

Have been on maternity leave for a year. Returned to work on 3rd December and have holiday booked until 2nd January.

Payday in December is 15th and next payday is 28th January.

Just checked my payslip and I've been paid for the four kit days I've worked and about a weeks' pay. When I've queries with payroll manager they have been told by HR that my return date was the 23rd! I have letters and emails to HR confirming my return date as the third.

Payroll have said they aren't able to rectify it as it's not their mistake and I'll have to wait until January payday.

I can afford to live - I have enough in he bank to cover childcare etc. but I feel it's not the point. Do you think I have a case to insist they fix it this month?

Yes. Email hr and payroll with the details and tell them it needs to be sorted this week.

They can do a payment. It might cost to do it but it is their mistake.

Thanks for replying so quickly - I have done that; HR have apologised but Payroll have said it's not possible to correct it until the next pay run in January as they have to recalculate my pension contributions too. There's not really anyone other than the M.D. I can complain too and I don't want to make a name for myself after a year off not my fault I know!

The company shuts down for two weeks from Friday lunchtime until 2nd January.

I've done a back of an envelope calculation and it's about £2500 gross pay that I'm owed so about £1800 net. I'm getting crosser that they assumed I can go without this!

A similar thing happened to me last year.

I got messed about for a while but eventually managed to speak to someone high up enough to tear a strip off payroll and get them to issue me an emergency payment for what they worked out was approximately what I was owed.

They then sorted out the ins and outs in January. I think I got a few pounds deducted but they'd worked it out almost right.

It is possible to do and the key isn't that it wasn't their fault - it's that it wasn't your fault.

They could do a bank transfer but you might have to plead poverty with the MD...

That's the thing- I'm not in poverty and have more than enough in the bank to cover the shortfall this month. I definitely don't want to lie- mostly because it's a lie but also because the industry I work in would judge me if I did plead poverty

But, by the same token I feel a bit miffed that they've been so dismissive- it's not like it's a normal month to be short either; Christmas and 6 weeks until January pay day!

I had this, this month. They're right to be careful about tax, pension etc but they should be able to work out the gross underpayment and give you a cheque for between 60 and 80% of what you're owed without causing problems there. They're hoping you'll go away like a nice little employee and not make them do the extra work.

Of course it’s “possible”, it’s just more hassle for them! They can work out approximately how much it should be, pay you an advance, and then deduct it from next month. All doable, as long as the right person tells them to do it.

I would certainly push it. You’ve had reduced or no income for a while and it’s Christmas which is an expensive time of year.

I run payroll. This is easy to fix and they're being lazy. They can easily roll back your profile, recalculate and pay you the difference. Alternatively they can estimate a net advance (but slightly less desirable with RTI requirements).

Long and short is they're being lazy. If I made an error like this I'd be apologetic and fix it that same day. Definitely complain to your MD.

No harm in speaking to your MD and explain that, although it’s ok you have had confirmation back of return dates, would appreciate payroll doing the necessary to set things straight.