Wages being held from us.

[Mummatotwoo]

So

My partner decided after losing he's job during lockdown 1 to go out and work for an agency during lockdown 2.

He worked in terrible conditions cleaning toilets, canteens, bins etc, not once was he offered any PPE, but he done it for us.

Long story short, he was in charge of a key for a cleaning cupboard, in this cupboard it holds bottles of bleach and sponges.

The said key (tiny padlock key) can not be found since my partner left, he has told them many times that it was left in the usual place but they are having none of it.

On top of this now, the agency are holding he's money from him, they are refusing to pay until the tiny padlock key has been located.

The wages are only 3 weeks worth but that is a huge amount to us and our kids.

So much so, he has just had he's car insurance cancelled because he couldn't make payment on the time he promised to pay, meaning he now has no access to he's car.

I have messaged them multiple times and they have said they are investigating the issue.

I don't think they understand what they have done, for the first time this week we have had to use a food bank.

3 weeks from Christmas.

Can anyone please recommend what way to go legally?

Can this agency keep this money from him?

Any info would be great as things seem to be going from bad to worse.

Thanks for reading x

No they cannot legally hold his wages, write a very strongly worded email and request his wages are released immediately otherwise you will be seeking legal advise

No they should not be doing that!

We didn't think so, they have said that they can and are in the right, apparently they can hold wages while they investigate.

He even offered to go in a few days ago and change the lock himself, they didn't want that either.

He's spoke to he's car insurance provider and they are having none of it, apparently when they cancel they can not change there mind as we pay it monthly due to not having the money to pay 12 months in one go.

He is going to ACAS (that's what I think they are called) to see what they recommend.

Thanks for the responses

Oh sod off @Princessbanana
This is not the thread for your pedantry

It depends what his contract says. They may reserve the right to charge him for a change of locks although this should be reasonable and he will be able to request a copy of the invoice. This is pretty common in the retail/hospitality sector.

was he working full time? If he's earning NMW then that would be over £1000 owed for 3 weeks. Unless it was something significantly high tech it would not cost that much for a new padlock.

@Princessbanana

The word is His, not he’s! “After losing His job” “are holding HIS money” “just had His car insurance” “to His car” 🤯

I can see how my mistakes must have really spoiled your evening.

I'm sorry about that.

I hope you can rest easy tonight knowing you corrected me on this thread.

Thanks again for your fantastic input.

@tiredqueen

It depends what his contract says. They may reserve the right to charge him for a change of locks although this should be reasonable and he will be able to request a copy of the invoice. This is pretty common in the retail/hospitality sector.

was he working full time? If he's earning NMW then that would be over £1000 owed for 3 weeks. Unless it was something significantly high tech it would not cost that much for a new padlock.

Yes minimum wage, the wages in total are around 750 that has been held.

Well I hope they decide what they want to do with the money soon, it's just making everything so much harder.

Bills and kids presents can not wait for them to decide whilst they play god with someone's life.

Thank you for your feedback, it's much appreciated x

You can find information about the law here

www.gov.uk/understanding-your-pay/deductions-from-your-pay

And here

croner.co.uk/resources/pay-benefits/employer-witholding-pay/

Croner are a respected legal publisher, and they refer to the specific Employment Act which you can refer to when chasing the employer