THOUSANDS of Asda employees have been left feeling “desperate” after a payroll error left some more than £500 out of pocket.
More than 11,000 errors have been have been made in recent months by the supermarket’s external payroll firm.
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The wages of 5,500 workers are said to have been affected.
Supermarket staff told the GMB union that their monthly pay packet could be short by anything from £100 to £500.
One worker, who lives in Greater Manchester, said the errors have led to their benefits being cut.
They told The Guardian: “I have to borrow money just to pay my rent and feed my children.
“I wouldn’t have to do that if my pay was right.”
An Asda spokesman said the supermarket giant was “sorry” that some members of staff were not paid correctly.
He added: “As soon as we were aware of this issue, we took action to ensure that nobody was left out of pocket.
“We are working closely with our payroll partner and have provided additional support to stores to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.”
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Your rights if you are paid incorrectly
Stephen Moore, partner and head of employment at law firm Ashfords, says that any wage deductions must be made with the employee’s consent.
This could be in the employment contract, or through written agreement between the employee and their boss.
But if there has been a failure to pay without an agreement, then you could raise a claim at an employment tribunal.
Stephen says this could be for unlawful deduction of wages, or in the county court for breach of contract.
Workers have three months and one day to raise a claim at an employment tribunal.
But in the county court, there is a longer period of six years to bring a claim.
Stephen says: “Generally, any deductions from an employee’s wages must be made
“Repeated failures by an employer to pay an employee’s wages could entitle the employee to claim that there has been a fundamental breach of their employment contract, resign and claim constructive dismissal in the employment tribunal and seek compensation.”
Here’s how you can find out what your rights are if you are on a zero hours contract.
We have also explained how you could be entitled to two years’ worth of holiday pay from your employer.
