Money smart-but what do you do when your paycheck doesn't get processed?!

[ChristyJ]

My DH and I are on top of things financially-always doing billpay so bills get paid on time, some money directly into savings, etc. I get direct deposit from work-well today was the 4th or 5th time since I've started with this company 3 years ago that I checked my account to see the amount of my check (I get paid hourly, so it's always a little different), and my deposit isn't in there! My company's headquarters are in another state, and every other time this has happened, it's been my boss fault (he didn't fax my timesheet by the deadline)-the response I usually get from him is "you'll get a double paycheck next Friday." I want to cry-I have bills scheduled to be paid today, and although I can jockey money around from other accounts to cover the bills, my money should have been there. I'm doing what I need to do and submit my timesheet on time. I haven't talked to him yet, but this time, I'm not taking his answer-I'm calling someone at the main headquarters!
Thanks for letting me vent!!!

 

[cruisnfamily]

I also have automatic payments sent out from quicken and auto deductions for utilities and things that happen every single week. Whether DH gets paid or not those bills are coming out. A missing paycheck would certainly cause us to scramble and would make me VERY upset! We too have funds available to cover such a thing but it would be a real pain in the neck to do it and you shouldn't have to!

 

[swilshire]

Most companies have a provision to give you a cash payment as an advance on the missing payroll check when this happens. I would certainly request this, particularly since it has happened more than once. No reason for you to be in a bind because your payroll procedures fall through.

Sheila

 

[mommy22gurlz]

Christy, I'm sorry your having this issue!! I don't know if different states have different laws on this, but I have been with the company I work with for 6 years and I do payroll for 100+ employees and it is state law that every employee gets paid for every hour they work on that companys scheduled pay date!!! If I mess up and not key someone in (which has happened) corporate has to cut a check and overnight to the employee, no exceptions. Occasionally if an employee is shorted some hours they will just say no big deal and put it on next check. But if for example I short someone 5 hours and they say they NEED it, we have to cut them a check.

So I see your in NY, I don't know their laws there but there has to be some kind of protection for you. I wouldn't doubt if your boss or whoever does your time messes up and doesn't want anyone to know.....trust me I hate when I have to call upper management at corp. to request a check because of my error.

I definitely would look into this, that is not fair to you!!

 

[ChristyJ]

Thanks-I have a call into headquarters to the head of payroll. If I haven't heard back by noon, I'm calling again. I was somewhat passive the other times this has happened, but I found out that legally, I should be paid (just as some of you have stated).

This was supposed to be a fun day off... Things could be worse...

 

[got2lovedisney]

Even if there are no laws in effect, it's just common courtesy. If one of my employees is short more than $100 due to supervisor/HR/my error and they request a check...I cut a manual check. (If the EMPLOYEE forgot to punch or didn't turn in a vacation request on time, I give them a harder time about a manual check because it's THEIR fault.) We had an instance when the Fedex with the payroll checks got stuck in Chicago due a snow storm or something...I had to cut manual checks for all the employees without direct deposit (about 100) but that's what we do to keep our employees happy. Just makes sense.

If your boss is the one dropping the ball...I'd talk to someone in HR. It's not unreasonable for you to expect your pay on PAYDAY.

 

[sk!mom]

It is fine to be nice about it once (or 4 or 5 times in your case) as everyone makes mistakes but it certainly seems that it is time to speak up for yourself. It would be way past time for me. Good Luck and let us know what the outcome is.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would also suggest talking to HR. They can (and should) do some research. There are two possibilities here. Both are illegal. One is that you are not the only one that this is happening to, in which case a higher level manager should come down very heavily on your boss as he is causing the company to violate the law. The other is that it is only happening to you, which seems to show a pettern of discrimination.

 

[ChristyJ]

This also has happened to another person I work with. The majority of employees at my office are salaried, but one of my co-workers and I are paid hourly (better $, min. benefits). We're the only 2 this happens to. My co-worker is at the office today and has researched the matter-it is in fact illegal to not rectify the situation ASAP.

My job is an "employment at will" job, meaning that either the company or I could terminate employment without reason-so I've been hesitant to stir things up before, but now I've had enough and won't be passive (of course I'll do things tactfully). I do know that if they ever terminated me for this reason, it would be illegal as well. I've worked there for 3 years and always gotten raises based on my performance.

 

[canwegosoon]

I would ask if they can pay you out of petty cash, and you will repay them next week. I am wishing you all the best. In the fututre, try to get 1 weeks salary in a svgs account with the same bank (I use Citizens) and transfer over the money to cover online checks...you will sleep better on thursday nights!!!

 

[ChristyJ]

I do have other accounts with enough to cover transactions, etc., but the whole situation still makes me crazy!

Thanks to all for being so supportive!

 

[AlexTina]

I used to be an accountant for a local book distributor and even though our paychecks were direct deposit and they handled payroll at the main office in another state if someone's payroll was not processed I would just write them a check ASAP and handle all of the money moving internally. This is a huge pain in the butt for the company but that's not your problem, I would demand that they do this. Believe me they are not going to want to do this for you but it is doable and I would force thew issue if I was you.

Tina

 

[etwinchester]

I too did HR for 5 years. If a whole paycheck was missing, we had to cut them a manual check ASAP. If it was a couple of hours, it was left up to the employee if they wanted it on the following check or a manual check cut for them.

 

[Mary Anne]

I agree I worked in HR in NY and we made sure people were paid, and paid timely. I'd call HR immediately.

 

[Anastasia]

I would insist that the company cut me a manual check and overnight it to me. This is absolutely unacceptable that your boss has been this irresponsible 4 or 5 times.

If it happens again, I would again insist that they cut me a manual check and overnight it to me.

If this happens enough, THEY will get on your bosses back about the timecard issue.

Fortunately you have the ability to jockey some money around to cover your payments, but you shouldn't have to! It's a good thing you checked!

I usually schedule my payments for a few days after payday just in case something goes wrong with direct deposit. There has only been one time in the 6 years that my husband has been with his current company that there has been a problem. It was a companywide problem, and they overnighted checks to everyone and offered to pay any bounced check fees.

 

[ChristyJ]

I just got off the phone with my boss in NY (who had done this 4-5 times before and, I'm sure, NEVER reported it to headquarters)-they offered me money out of petty cash (to then payback when I get my money), said they'd roll this check into next week's check or could cut a paper check and get it in the mail today. I opted for the paper check in the mail.

It all goes back to my boss here in NY-this was the first time that I ever went to the main office in another state with the problem. My boss in NY just didn't take care of things-twice he actually knew my timesheet didn't get in on time (his fault) and didn't tell me until I was upset that my direct deposit wasn't posting. He doesn't have to worry because he's salaried...

I'm sure, after the mass of phone calls he's had to endure today from me, my co-worker, and people in HR in the other state, that he'll be sure to care a little more!

 

[jckdisneybound]

Hmmm, if it's a matter of him not faxing your timesheet in time, ask if to avoid problems if you could fax it in yourself. or that you woud like the confirmation that it was sent on time. Fax machines normally just kick them out.

Any hey, I'm from Saratoga, born and raised!

 

[floridagirrl2]

Good for you, Christy! I had this happen to me TWICE at a place a worked for 10 months. What aggravated me is that our payroll clerk KNEW I wasn't going to get paid (I used to work in Human Resources in the same agency before I got a healthcare degree, so I knew she had received a printout of all employees who were paid) and didn't bother to tell me! My bank didn't have online banking at the time, so I wouldn't find out until paper paystubs had been distributed a few days after the direct deposits went through!

I was nice the first time. The second time, I said I wanted an emergency check immediately and I got it by the next day. My boss also went to the payroll clerk's boss and raised holy heck.

 

[funnygarcia]

Glad you go it worked out.. I too have problems with my employer.
It's a small day care business and they do their own pay roll.
I had a shorted check (I keep a copy of my time card for this reason.. she put it on the next check), missed pay raise for training hours (she gave that to me in cash) and one check that was not signed (boss was on vacation, no answer on cell phone, called her home and luckily her DH -- he does the payroll--- was available, he met me at work to sign the check, time wasted waiting around/calling around = 3 hours)

It's very frustrating and I am not the only one who has problems (about once every three months I hear someone complain) , sadly she does not realize that her actions/mistakes causes unhappy workers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I didn't get paid on my second payday after returning to work from disability (did get paid the first payday - don't ask Anyway, my employer IMMEDIATELY wrote me a check for the full amount I had earned.