My Employer is refusing to pay me!! What can I do?

[abw123]

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I only worked in a local, quite quiet club for the past 2 weekends, its a week in hand, also cash, I'm pretty certain it's not on the books. There was myself and 4 other girls behind the bar with me who all get paid cash in hand and no one has written contracts.
I'm leaving the country to go and stay with my boyfriend in Sweden, this was all very last minute and granted I didn't give that much notice that I was leaving. However I was never told what notice I should give, I've messaged her several times asking about my wages and how to hand my uniform back in and if my mom can do this on my behalf because I'm no longer in the UK, shes ignoring all my messages. Can I take this further? I'm worried I can't because I don't have a written contract
THANK YOU

[Kati]

Re: My Employer is refusing to pay me!! What can I do?

tagging [MENTION=6]Amethyst[/MENTION] [MENTION=77627]Openlaw15[/MENTION]

[Openlaw15]

Re: My Employer is refusing to pay me!! What can I do?

.
I only worked in a local, quite quiet club for the past 2 weekends, its a week in hand, also cash, I'm pretty certain it's not on the books. There was myself and 4 other girls behind the bar with me who all get paid cash in hand and no one has written contracts.
I'm leaving the country to go and stay with my boyfriend in Sweden, this was all very last minute and granted I didn't give that much notice that I was leaving. However I was never told what notice I should give, I've messaged her several times asking about my wages and how to hand my uniform back in and if my mom can do this on my behalf because I'm no longer in the UK, shes ignoring all my messages. Can I take this further? I'm worried I can't because I don't have a written contract
THANK YOU

Hello abw123

My opinion is bluff that you'll take legal action...

Normally, you're entitled by law to be paid the National Minimum Wage, which depending on your age/ assuming you're 18 or over, should be the equivalent of £7.20 an hour. There is no need for the company to give you a written contract, but having no contract does not mean there are no legal rights for you. You could potentially take the employer to a tribunal for withholding wages: section 28, National Minimum Age Act 1998 (NMA); but it wouldn't be in your interest to actually do it (it's not much money for all the hassle). You can bluff that you will do it. For instance, if you tell your employer that you're going to call ACAS (the organisation that by law has to deal with employment issues before going to a Tribunal), they'll likely be very concerned anyway. What happens is that ACAS try to solve the problem, so if you tell your employer that they'll believe you're taking this very seriously; they'll squirm and back down more than likely. It's also a criminal offence: section 36, NMA 1998 to not pay the NMW to workers. How many people are on their books being paid in hand...they won't want the investigation that's for sure. I am sure your employer will then pay you as they'll be put in a very awkward position, both under ACAS/ Tribunal/ criminal offence.