Pay day / time.

[butterfm]

Hi,

We have a small business and our employees are contracted to be paid on Monday each week. Ordinarily they are paid on a Sunday or payments are scheduled to hit their accounts 1st thing on a Monday morning. Very occasionally I can't find time on a weekend to sort out the wages (i have another full time job and often work weekends) and I do them on Monday so it may be Monday dinner time before the wages are In there accounts. One employee has taken exception to this and contacted ACAS. She said that I am legally obliged to ensure her wages are in first thing on Monday. I'm a bit miffed at her attitude given this is rare and payments are ordinarily in before Monday. I've also paid her early on numerous occasions when she has needed the money.
What I'd like to know is whether the wages have to legally have been paid by a certain time on the day that they are contracted to be paid or is she trying it on. I'm happy to meet any legal obligations but don't appreciate members of staff trying to strong arm me.

Thanks,
M

 

[noo81]

As far as I am aware as long as the wages reach the employers account on the contracted day, it doesn't matter what time. Although you do need to consider bank times for processing can vary, which could make your payment late which would breach your contract with employee. It seems you have been more than understanding with her needs in the past, such a shame she hasn't been the same towards you.

 

[Walkol]

As she's being an a*se, simple ask her to provide proof that she is legally entitled to have received the money first thing.

However, do take note of what noo81 has mentioned regarding bank processing times, and ensure the money will clear that day.

On a side note, next time she asks for wages early tell her to go jump.

 

[TotallySport]

why not go to a payed monthly system, so you only have to worry about it once a month.

 

[butterfm]

Thanks for the info everyone. I also suspect she is trying it on and i've already told her not to expect early payment in future. The payments from the bank are guaranteed within 2 hours and usually take minutes so that shouldn't be an issue.

Monthly wages have crossed my mind. As I understand it that would be a change to the employees contracts and would therefore need to be agreed by them. To be honest I'm happy to do them weekly as it's suits my staff. It's just the behaviour of one person that could end up spoiling it for everyone else.

I appreciate you taking time out to respond.

M

 

[AlexandraS]

She sounds "high maintenance", yet at the same time as an employer you have a responsibility towards your staff and "too busy to pay wages" doesn't cut it.

Years ago I worked for an outfit who started getting lax on paying wages. We were all young and poor and it made a difference between eating and not eating - and ultimately being able to get the bus to work!

 

[sjbeale]

You can change the payment period by consulting with your staff and getting written agreement. You need to give contractual notice for the change. If you give them some time off to go to their banks to sort out any direct debit changes for example that can help the situation and perhaps offering a loan if any employees are struggling to cope with the gap in wages.

 

[Podge]

As she's being an a*se, simple ask her to provide proof that she is legally entitled to have received the money first thing.

However, do take note of what noo81 has mentioned regarding bank processing times, and ensure the money will clear that day.

On a side note, next time she asks for wages early tell her to go jump.

The employer is too busy to make the wage payment and the employee is an arse for asking for it to be paid on time.

Glad I don't work for you.

 

[CAEDAN]

Thanks for the info everyone. I also suspect she is trying it on and i've already told her not to expect early payment in future. The payments from the bank are guaranteed within 2 hours and usually take minutes so that shouldn't be an issue.

Monthly wages have crossed my mind. As I understand it that would be a change to the employees contracts and would therefore need to be agreed by them. To be honest I'm happy to do them weekly as it's suits my staff. It's just the behaviour of one person that could end up spoiling it for everyone else.

I appreciate you taking time out to respond.

M

Ask them! Call a meeting and ask them! Put a note in with their next wage packet giving a time and date of meeting (paid) and be honest with them.

Mention no names, but say that the issue has been raised of wages appearing in accounts a couple of hours later on occasions and you wish to resolve the issue amicably. Tell them with the current climate you are busy keeping the work coming in and this sometimes means the wages go in a couple of hours later, and to resolve this you are considering monthly payment.

It would make your life easier, they will understand and may be more willing to accept it - and also they will probably know who is the route of the issue! They will self manage that problem for you!

 

[Walkol]

The employer is too busy to make the wage payment and the employee is an arse for asking for it to be paid on time.

Glad I don't work for you.

As she has said, payment has always been made on time - ie that day.

Glad I don't have to work for a boss to fails to read things through properly.

 

[Employment Law Clinic]

One employee has taken exception to this and contacted ACAS. She said that I am legally obliged to ensure her wages are in first thing on Monday.

Even with the very little credit I give to ACAS (they are often bad with their advice), I doubt they would have said that. (Wouldn’t be totally surprised, but doubt it.)

the wages go in a couple of hours later

...in the day – but still the pay day, the day the wages are due on, so later, but not late.

As she has said, payment has always been made on time - ie that day.

Karl Limpert