Key rights

All employees are entitled to written pay statements/slips before or at the time they are paid.

Most workers cannot be paid less than the National Minimum Wage (if you are under 25) and National Living Wage (if you are over 25).

Failure to pay you correctly will be a fundamental breach of your contract.

Employers cannot make deductions from your pay unless:

• the type of deduction has been authorised by law (e.g. deductions for tax) OR
• you agreed to the deduction in a written contract OR
• you consented in writing before the deduction was made.

There are extra protections for workers in shops that make it illegal for an employer to deduct over a set amount because of cash shortages or stock deficiencies.

Expenses such as work travel and accommodation should be reimbursed by your employer.

Working time

The National Minimum and Living Wage rules apply to all the time you spend at your workplace under the direction of your employer (called Working Time).

Working time does not include your breaks. It does not include the journey to and from your place of work unless you are a mobile worker whose base is their home. It does include:

• time when you are ‘on call’ at your employer’s premises, but not working
• overtime
• training time in the workplace
• nightwork, even where your job includes sleeping e.g. care workers
• travelling to clients
• working lunches.

Wages claims

You can be compensated if your employer has not paid you the correct amount of pay, whether that is your regular salary, holiday pay or bonuses. These claims can be brought in the Employment Tribunal or the civil courts.

Strict time-limits apply to both venues.

Our services

Our employment lawyers regularly act for individuals and groups who have not received their correct pay or bonuses, negotiating back payments and where, necessary, taking claims to the tribunal or civil courts.

If think you are not being paid correctly you can telephone our employment team direct on 020 7653 3222 or email us [email protected].