Wages and Bonuses Owed

I finished up with a previous employer some time ago. At the time I was owed some Bonuses and wages. I agreed to have it paid over the following months as the company said they could not afford it. I received all payments except the last. The company said I would get my money but would have to wait until they could afford it. I have been waiting some time now. I have been advised by a number of people to go to the rights commissioner. Do people feel I should go ahead with this or am I jeopardising my chances of getting a reference in the future. It is a substantial amount of money and I could really do with it right now.

Have you not got a reference already ? You're well within your rights to seek immediate payment for this and personally I dont buy this 'we cant afford it right now' approach. I would get in contact with the emploments rights commision in the Dept of env and emp immediately and seek advice. They are good with responding to these claims. Have you recieved your P45 as you should have on termination as this would be needed to sign on and should have reflected your full wages to date ? Just as a matter of interest and feel free not to divulge but this company wasn't in credit control was it ? Experience on the tricks of non-payment is a dangerous thing.

I cannot remember off the top of my head for payment of wages cases but there are often time limits after which you cannot lodge a claim. I would ring the Rights Commissioners section in the Labour Relations Commission and check if there is a time limit.

Yes I received my P45 and I am in full time employment. I also received a written reference. However, many companies prefer verbal references. I left the employers on good terms, perhaps too good, and that is why I agreed to have the money owed paid over the following months. I contacted them on numerous occassions to get the last payment but all to no avail. The company are not in credit control.

If you have already received your P45, is this payment a 'cash in hand' sum? If so I don't think you'll have a leg to stand on. I think the time limit for taking someone to the labour court is 6 months after termination, maybe they were stringing you along till this time was up?

Thanks for all the advice. The payments were official and I am still within the 6 months. I have contacted the LRC and I am well entitled to make a complaint so I will be forwarding a claim in the coming days.

Good for you, bring them to the LRC,after all its your money not theirs. I wouldnt be worried about the reference thing tho, Most new potential employers are ok if you explain the circumstances to them. In a similar situation myself with regards to holiday pay, so i'll probably see you down at the labour court! its not a nice thing to have to do but i hear that issues in relation to non-payments of monies due to ex-employees is normally resolved before having to go to court. Well lets hope so anyway Best of Luck.