A couple of points before we start the Q&As this week. . . .
Just a quick heads up that I’ll be doing a brief piece on redundancy in my next newsletter. When you hear the words, “I’m sorry I gonna have to let you go”, you need to check whether your employer has followed a fair process and that you have not been unfairly singled out, so I’ll be giving a few pointers which, hopefully, you will find useful.
I was asked if I could help with a generic letter for a subscriber who had an employee who had booked holiday, when the company policy is not to grant holidays at that specific time. I’m happy to share the letter with my paid subscribers, so just email me or let me know in the comments at the bottom if you would like one sending over.
It covers situations where staffing levels don’t permit holiday, all holiday has been used, holiday is allocated on a first come, first served basis and also details the consequences of taking holiday when permission has been refused.
In this week’s issue:
Pay periods and payment dates
Arbitrary pay cut
Should qualifications be paid for by the employer
Outstanding pay on termination of employment
Leaving during your probation and pay
Changing working hours without permission
Should I resign or attend the disciplinary meeting?
When does a Fit Note expire
Terms and conditions of employment. Can they be changed when the business has a new owner?
Can you be made to disclose a potentially damaging email?
Pay periods and payment dates
Q. Basically I am on maternity leave. It was agreed I would be paid 4 weekly. When it come to my payday, I had to ask for my wages to which my boss replied that we agreed verbally it would be the last SUNDAY of every month. I was paid the last Sunday and she then sent me how many weeks I would be paid in each month. October was meant to be a 5 week pay. She only paid me what she said was 4 weeks and 1 day ? That's why it was not the full amount it should have been ? Around 80 pound less than a 5 week.
I don't understand why she keeps changing how she pays me. It is confusing to me. When I message her about it, I see from the messages that it clearly bothers her that I don't get it. But she shouldn't beable to just decide how she pays at the drop of a hat. For example I was paid weekly before going on maternity. A week before I went on maternity she decided I would be paid monthly so I had to go a full month with no money :) with a 2 year old and a baby on the way.
A. The problem appears to be that you both agreed that you would be paid 4 weekly, which would give you 13 pay days per year. That would make it difficult to pay you on the last Sunday of every month as suggested because the pay date would differ month on month.
It appears in reality you are being paid monthly, so only 12 pay days per year, hence the differing amounts. I suggest you ask your employer to set out exactly how and when you are to be paid. Ask (in writing) for a copy of your employment contract and ensure it ties in with your clause regarding pay. If you don’t have a contract, demand one immediately - it’s a legal requirement. Whilst on maternity leave your pay will be a regular amount so it should not be difficult for your employer or their payroll provider to work this out.
Arbitrary pay cut
Q. Hello I love your tiktok channel, so informative! I have a question about a company changing your salary once you've started a job. Are they allowed to tell you 5 weeks in that they don't think you're actually worth the amount you'd initially agreed on and want to reduce your salary? (Probation is 3 months) Thanks so much.
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