My employer haven't paid me & are threatening to take over half my wage if they do!

[Ellie95]

I worked for a call center for 2 weeks,my contract got terminated due to me 'not hitting targets' which is near impossible in just two weeks i was getting customers no problem they were just slow sending paperwork back.Which is the grounds i was dismissed on without even being given chance to contact the customers known as 'chase' to see if there was any issues with paperwork.The working environment was ridiculous music was played at full blast so i had to cover my microphone on my headset because customers were asking if i was 'having a party' it was impossible to concentrate.Also the owner of the company was selling cocaine to the staff who were casually doing it at there desks,i have videos of the hectic work environment (owner dancing on desk ect) Anyway i was supposed to be paid on the 02/05/16 i contacted my old manager who informed me it won't be till Thursday due to the accountant not being in.It got to Thursday and i still wasn't paid and he informed me he 'lost' my bank details so i gave them again now it's the 13/05/16 and I've still not been paid because apparently the accountant is on holiday again. They've also said i'm losing £350 of the £600 i'm owned due to breach in contract,which pretty much stated if i'm dismissed for not using training i lose it for training fees,the problem is i was never provided with training i was given a script and sat at a computer someone please help me i have a home and children to pay for ?!!!

[Openlaw15]

Re: My employer haven't paid me & are threatening to take over half my wage if they d

I worked for a call center for 2 weeks,my contract got terminated due to me 'not hitting targets' which is near impossible in just two weeks i was getting customers no problem they were just slow sending paperwork back.Which is the grounds i was dismissed on without even being given chance to contact the customers known as 'chase' to see if there was any issues with paperwork.The working environment was ridiculous music was played at full blast so i had to cover my microphone on my headset because customers were asking if i was 'having a party' it was impossible to concentrate.Also the owner of the company was selling cocaine to the staff who were casually doing it at there desks,i have videos of the hectic work environment (owner dancing on desk ect) Anyway i was supposed to be paid on the 02/05/16 i contacted my old manager who informed me it won't be till Thursday due to the accountant not being in.It got to Thursday and i still wasn't paid and he informed me he 'lost' my bank details so i gave them again now it's the 13/05/16 and I've still not been paid because apparently the accountant is on holiday again. They've also said i'm losing £350 of the £600 i'm owned due to breach in contract,which pretty much stated if i'm dismissed for not using training i lose it for training fees,the problem is i was never provided with training i was given a script and sat at a computer someone please help me i have a home and children to pay for ?!!!

Hi, Ellie

Update: Hmm: is it the company you're working for or an agency supplied to company? I think the law is the same for agency staff, it changed recently as far's I can remember. How long was your contract for if via the agency or the company? What type of contract was it, what did you sign and who with, ie company or agency.

Your claim could be unfair dismissal or victimisation: suffering a detriment...ie withholding your wages, saying you're in breach when you're not. ACAS will better inform you though.

My advice is to call ACAS: 0300 123 1100 from Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm, with a view to taking these cowboys to an employment tribunal. Normally it requires 2 years employment experience but in your situation, you are clearly being victimised so you should be able to make a claim. The employer cannot deduct from your wages (garnish) without good reasons. So if any thing you can counter sue them for breach of contract. I would say to the employer if you do not pay me my wages that you will take them to a tribunal. If the following applies you could raise that with them too. In general: it is a criminal offence if your employer does not pay you the equivalent of the minimum wage so you could report them to the police.

You can also tell the police you suspect criminal behaviour is going on at work, ie employer sells cocaine (ie supply): Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Bear in mind you could get your friends/ colleagues in trouble who work at the company. They/ owner/ colleagues will then say you were taking drugs, too unless you could prove otherwise. However it's better to tell the tribunal this or you take it that far and probably not the police.

[Ellie95]

Re: My employer haven't paid me & are threatening to take over half my wage if they d

Thank you,that was really helpful i'll defiantly try going down this route I've tried being civil and messaging them several times all i want is what i'm owed it shouldn't be this difficult never had this problem before.