Bank Holiday back pay

Whiplashy

My employer told me when I started working with them that my hourly rate included compensation for working Sundays (absolute joke but legal) and that I would get double pay for any bank holiday I worked. I asked about pay for bank holidays not worked and they thought I was joking, so not being too knowledgeable about employment laws, I let it go. A few weeks ago I read a post on here that made me aware I was indeed entitled to a portion of pay for bank holidays not worked so I brought it up again. This time I was told that it was covered in my hourly rate just like Sundays are. Since then someone else must have had a go at them over it because they have now decided that in future we will get half a days wages for bank holidays not worked. I questioned if we would get back paid for the ones they haven't paid us for and got a flat out no. Can they do this? It's a legal requirement to pay for the bank holidays and they were in the wrong, so should we not be entitled to the money? I don't want to cause a fuss over it if there's no chance of getting the money anyway.

skyfall2012

Hi, You are entitled to this money, if you ring or google the citizens advise bureau they will give you the info.

I got an office job in 2011 after he hired me he told me he wanted to pay me 'under the table', I didn't want this and he didn't explain this during the interview, anyhow he had a part-time girl working for him whom he had to back pay all the bank holidays, she was originally from US and didn't know her rights, she got a couple of grand. Anyhow he started to make it difficult for me to work there that I voluntarily resigned after 6 months. I should have kept my mouth shut, learned what I could from the job and got something better.

My thought process at the time is that we will eventually be working like they were during the industrial revolution if we don't stand up for ourselves. But now I am back on the live register, so I don't really feel like a winner.

tatli_lokma

AS skyfall2012 says - you are more than entitled to pursue this and look for your money. They were breaking the law in not paying correctly. However, if you are the whistle blower you might not find things very comfortable working there afterwards, or you might even not have a job.

I would advise contacting citizens information and asking their advice.

My own idea on it would be to put your request again for back money in writing. Ask them for their reply in writing. Appear to leave it at that. Then start looking for a new job - not 'looking around' but make it a priority and put the effort in to finding a new position. When you do find a new position, report your old employer to NERA and make a claim under the Payment of wages act. You will have the emails as proof of what occured.