Payment in arrears - help, am having a dopey moment

[MissMitford]

I've just been fired (grrrr - unfair dismissal after coming back early from maternity leave - but that's a whole other thread) and have been offered 3 months pay to go quietly. ie a paid 3 month notice period, not 3 months gross.

As I am paid one month in arrears, and will be paid up to and including 28th March. Am I right to think that this will mean my last paycheque will be at end of April?

Sorry - i know it's probably a silly question, but I am feeling pretty confused and uncertain about everything right now...

One month in arrears means that you are paid at the end of the month, for the work you have done that month so your March pay cheque will be for the month of March.

Oh crap. that's not the answer I was hoping for...

A month in arrears means you get paid a month behind, so the work you do in January is paid in February. Not sure how it works with final pay cheques though?

it depends on date of being fired and whether they are giving you 3 full clear months notice period, or from date of being fired. If 3 full months notice, Full pay til end of April (Feb, March, April).

If you were fired middle of jan and they are paying you from that date then you will be paid

one full month at the end of jan (inc half/oe so days jan normal working, other half or so jan notice period)
one full month at the end of Feb, for all of feb notice period
one full month at the end of march, for all of feb notice period
one half month at the end of April, for half month notice period, making up total of 3 months notice.

As an aside, is your standard notice period 3 months? If not, it isn't very tax efficient for them to do it this way you know?

Are you happy with the amount?

Thanks everyone!

Not sure if am happy with amount or not. Was basically fired for having 'lost my mojo' in the last year (DS just turned 1. Coincidence... ermmm?) and think I have a pretty clear unfair dismissal case. just not sure if I want the aggro. Also not sure if I'd end up getting any more money out of them... interesting that I could ask for it tax-free though.

Month in arrears is being paid at the end of the month for work done in that month. So work done in January will be paid at the end of January.

If your termination date is 28 March you will be paid at the end of March. If they've dismissed you for performance issues and are offering you more notice than you are entitled to to 'go quietly', are they expecting you to work your notice period? It would be more usual to pay you 3 months in lieu of notice straightaway and terminate your employment immediately if they think it might be a problem and want you to 'go quietly'.

If you are being dismissed and are accepting an enhanced payment to 'go quietly' is there a compromise agreement?

Hi Flowery

Am not being expected to work my notice period, but am not getting 3 months in one amount - ie PAYE not one lump sum.

They are really being horrible and saying that they will not give me a good reference unless I take the offer. is it usual to get paid off in one go? obviously that would be better. Am weighing up whether or not to go any further with it.