is my employer wrong to do this?

Question

I have been working for my present employer for two months now. Becuase they didnt have my bank details in time for the first month they paid me by cheque a week before the pay date. This month they have failed to inform me of how I was to be paid and because they have my bank details i assumed that the money would go straight into my bank today. I have just found out that they have sent me a cheque today and sent it to another office in which it is going to be difficult for me to pay it in today, this doesnt help the fact that I have direct debits set up for the 31st of the month and the 1st of the month! Is my employer wrong to have done this? And is there anything i can do to make sure that I get paid on time? If I pay the cheque in today it will not clear untill weds/thurs next week which will be too late for my direct debits.

Answer 1

Well, it's legal enough for them to pay you by cheque - there's nothing to stop them doing so. However it is extremely inconvenient for you and perhaps it's worth checking your contract for a definite date you will be paid by. As for the direct debits, it there any way you can move them - most companies are usually flexible by a few days to take into account that not eveyone gets paid on the same date.

As for sending it to another office, you should speak to HR to check they have all your details correct.

All in all, they sound awful to work for. If it continues, I'd think about resigning - if they're this disorganised in paying you, it probably means they aren't that sharp in other areas either.

Answer 2

This sounds like a big misunderstanding from your employers perspective.. you failed to supply them with your bank details and after doing so, you made an assumption that they would continue to do this without checking.

Speak to your bank firstly, and ask them to hold off the DD until your employer cheques clear, most will be more than happy to assist you here.. or your bank may agree to honour the DD's without charging you providing your cheque clears. Get the cheque express cleared (cost about £10.00 normally) and ask your employer if you can claim this back, but ask nicely.

Then speak to your accounts department explain the situation rationally and ask them to ensure that all future monies are cleared in your bank account on the day that they should be.

No point getting snotty with them, you've only been there two months and probably on probation anyway....

It's a pain in the backside, I know, this happened to me once, but just get the DD's sorted and then you can relax a bit....

Answer 3

Yes your employer is wrong to do it and if you had been a long term employee I would suggest you get them to cover the cost of any bank charges you incur. (This has happened at a previous company I worked for) As you have only been there 2 months I would not suggest rocking the boat. I would firslt contact you bank - explain the situation and ask if they will give you an immediate overdraft facility (this is usually free as long as you do not exceed the amount given, so it will cover your direct debits). I would also contact the companies with which you have direct debits and change them so that they go out after 4th of each month. This will cover future problems/delays (they do happen). I would then speak to your company and ask if they could allow you time out today in order for you to get you cheque collected and taken to the bank. The bank will probably honour the cheque for your direct debits if it goes in today, speak to them. You will have to do this pretty sharpess in order to get this sorted in time today.

Answer 4

That is out of order. Is it a small employer or a large one? Maybe if its a small one they could just pay the money into your account now and cancel the cheque later. Maybe you could ring up your bank and arrange an overdraft, mine doesnt cost me anything unless I actually use it but if I do need to use it, it is charged at a much lower interest than non-arranged overdrafts, I have it for EXACTLY the reason you are mentioning. Other than that maybe you can borrow money from a family member just to see you over.
Discuss this with your employer either way, to make sure it doesnt happen again, perhaps get something in writing, that way if it does happen you have some grounds to get them to pay any charges you incur.
Its so annoying when you rely on other people because you yourself are relyable and you expect the same from others.....
Good Luck.

Answer 5

don't worry to much although the cheque may not clear for a couple of days they will still know that the money is there and they will honour the payments but you must let your boss know to make sure that they pay your wages into the bank next time and yes they can send a cheque to you because you may find that they have a cut off point for processing wages this does not help but i know people you have had to be paid out of a till before because payroll have cocked up it is frustrating but contact your bank and let them know the situation and they should be able to help if not get in contact with me and i will try to help you some more best of luck

Answer 6

It is certainly inconsiderate. Your best bet is to explain to them the difficulties this is going to cause you and ask if they will cover any bank charges you incur as a result. It would also be worth checking that they are going to pay you by direct transfer next month. If by sending the cheque to the wrong office they are not going to pay you on time this may be a breach of the terms of your contract (for example if you are supposed to be paid 1 week in advance and 3 in arrears, as is often the case), which should strengthen your case for help in dealing with it.

Answer 7

Usually if you deposit a check before debits are taken out, regardless if the check has cleared the bank will take the check first. At least that's the way my bank is. If your work keeps up this chaotic check problem, I would make a big deal out of it. However, I would maybe just let one more paycheck come & go to see if they have worked everything out. Direct deposit can be a really confusing process sometimes & it may not completely be your employers fault. But hey, if you feel like you're being done wrong, go with your gut instinct & tell 'em!

Answer 8

A tricky one here as you have still got the cheque a week before the pay date. All I can advise is that your employers sort out your bank details as soon as possible. There is no reason why they should not have used the BACS system in time for your second pay date.

Answer 9

Explain your situation to them, and ask if they will cover any charges incurred by you from the bank etc. Ask if they have an alternative means of payment i.e. petty cash etc. which they could give you to cover bills untill the cheque clears.

It's their mistake, you shouldn't have to pay for it, you work in lieu of payment, so it's only fair they pay you on time, and one which always gets to the bosses is when you ask them if their wages went in on time!

Answer 10

That's really bad of your company to do that, you may have to borrow money to cover your expenses until your cheque clears.....

Next time, always keep on the ball, and make sure you know in advance of what is going on!