If you’ve ever looked at your payslip and thought “that doesn’t look right,” you’re not alone. Payslip mistakes are especially common in shift work, where hours change week to week and pay gets calculated across more than one system. The good news is that you have a legal right to a clear, accurate payslip. And there are set steps for getting mistakes put right. This post is part of our series on Your UK Pay Rights, Explained — worth a read if you want the full picture.
What you’re legally entitled to see on your payslip
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employers must give almost all workers a written, itemised pay statement on or before payday. Since 6 April 2019, this right was extended to cover around 300,000 more people. That includes many workers on zero-hours and casual contracts, not just employees. Your payslip must show your gross pay, your net pay, and the amount and reason for every deduction. That’s whether it’s a fixed one like tax and pension contributions, or a variable one. If your pay changes depending on how many hours you worked, your payslip must also show those hours.
Common payslip errors to watch for
The most frequent mistakes are the wrong hourly rate on some or all of your hours, and overtime paid at your normal rate rather than the agreed uplift. Others include hours that don’t match your rota or your own log, deductions with no explanation attached, and an incorrect tax code that quietly overtaxes you. None of these are automatically deliberate. Payroll errors happen when systems don’t talk to each other, or when hours are submitted late. That doesn’t mean you should let them slide.
This is exactly where keeping your own record earns its keep. An app like wac lets you log every shift, break and rate as you work it. That way you’ve always got your own record of hours to check against what lands on your payslip, rather than relying on memory at the end of a busy week.
Steps to take if you spot an error
Start informally. Raise the issue directly with whoever handles payroll or your manager as soon as you notice it. Do this in writing where possible, so there’s a record. Bring evidence: your own note of the hours you worked, your rota, or messages confirming a shift swap. Most payslip errors get fixed at this stage once someone checks the numbers.
If nothing changes, put in a formal written grievance. Ask your employer for a copy of their grievance procedure if you’re not sure how it works. And keep copies of everything you send and receive.
It’s also worth checking your hourly rate against the current rates. National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates rose again this April. Here’s our full breakdown of the 2026 rates.
What if your employer won’t fix it?
If a deduction was unlawful and your employer still won’t correct it, you have another option. You can take a claim to an employment tribunal. First, though, you must contact Acas for early conciliation — this is a legal requirement, not an optional step. You normally have 3 months minus 1 day from the date of the deduction to start this process. If there’s been more than one deduction, count from the most recent. Notifying Acas within that window pauses the clock while conciliation is attempted. And if the deductions are linked — for example, caused by the same underlying error — you may be able to claim back further, up to 2 years.
Think you’ve been short-changed on pay altogether, rather than facing a one-off payslip mix-up? Our guide on what to do if you’ve been underpaid walks through the next steps in more detail.
Payslip errors: quick answers
Do zero-hours workers get payslips? Yes. Since April 2019, the right to an itemised payslip covers most workers, not just employees. That includes many people on zero-hours and casual contracts.
Can my employer just email me a payslip? Yes. Electronic payslips are fine as long as you can access and keep them, and they still need to arrive on or before payday.
How long do I have to challenge a wrong deduction? Normally 3 months minus 1 day from the date of the deduction, though this can extend if the deductions are linked. Contact Acas before that window closes.
Keeping your own shift log doesn’t just help you catch payslip errors sooner. It means you’re never relying on memory when the numbers don’t add up. wac lets you track every shift, break and rate change as it happens. That way you always have your own accurate record to check against payday.