Understanding Your Pay

When you start work, your employer should tell you how much you will be paid and how often. They should also tell you:

  • the day or date you will be paid, for example each Friday or the last day of the month 

  • how you will be paid, for example cash, cheque or bank transfer 

If you are an employee or worker (not a contractor or freelancer), you have the right to a payslip, which shows: 

  • your earnings before and after any deductions 

  • the amount of any deductions that may change each time you are paid, for example tax and National Insurance 

  • the number of hours you worked, if your pay varies depending on time worked 

You might need to know how to work out your weekly pay if you have to claim payments for redundancy or compensation from your employer.

Part-time workers

If you are a part-time worker, you must get at least the same hourly pay rate as a full-time worker doing a similar job. 

See also: 

For further information on understanding your pay see GOV.UK's website.