Pay and pensions

There is more information on the government's website about what your employer can or can't take out of your wages.

If you do think you have had unlawful deductions, there are lots of ways you can try and deal with the problem yourself.

Citizens Advice has some good advice about dealing with problems at work.

There is also some good advice and a useful tool on the My Pay London website to check whether you are getting paid the right amount. The website is run by the charity Legal Action Group.

If you are struggling to deal with the problem yourself, there are lots of places where you can get more help.

Before you contact anyone for support, it’s really important to have as much information as possible ready. Things you might need include:

• a description of the problem you are having
• a copy of your employment contract (if you have one)
• a copy of any recent pay slips (if you have one)
• a copy of any letters or emails between you and the person you work for that relate to the problem you are having
• details of any conversations about the problem you have had with the person you work for

Over the phone or via email

• if you want more general information about employment rights you can telephone the ACAS helpline on 0300 123 1100. It's open from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday, and can give you help in any language. If you have a hearing or speech impairment you can use their Text Relay service on 18001 0300 123 1100. They may also be able to help you to sort out the problem with the person you work for. This is called mediation
• if you are disabled and want advice about your employment rights you can contact the Disability Law Service (DLS) on 0207 791 9800 or email [email protected]
• Working Families are a national charity and have a free Legal Advice Service providing employment law and in-work benefits advice to parents and carers. You can visit the advice section of their website for more detailed information, use their advice contact form if you need personal advice via email (they aim to respond within five working days). Alternatively, you can call their helpline to speak to an adviser on 0300 012 0312 (open Monday to Friday 11-2pm).
• if you are a member of a Trade Union you can contact them directly for advice

Face-to-face advice



We've created a map of advice centres in London so you can find help with unlawful deductions. We've also provided their details in a list. Lots of them also give advice over the telephone or via email.



It’s important to remember that some places may only be able to help you:

• with certain things like general advice or filling in forms
• if you live or work close to them (eg you may have to live in the same borough)
• if you come from certain countries or backgrounds (eg you come from Eastern or Central Europe)
• if you don’t earn very much or are struggling with money
• if you have telephoned them first to make an appointment

Make sure you check the details on our map or list of centres so you find the right place to help.

There is more information about payslips and what should be included in them on the government's website.

If you do think you have a problem with your payslip or the person you work for refuses to give you one, there are lots of ways you can try and deal with the problem yourself.

Citizens Advice has some good advice about dealing with problems at work.

If you are struggling to deal with the problem yourself, there are lots of places where you can get more help.

Before you contact anyone for support, it’s really important to have as much information as possible ready. Things you might need include:

• a description of the problem you are having
• a copy of your employment contract (if you have one)
• a copy of any recent pay slips (if you have one)
• a copy of any letters or emails between you and the person you work for that relate to the problem you are having
• details of any conversations about the problem you have had with the person you work for

Over the phone or via email

• if you want more general information about employment rights you can telephone the ACAS helpline on 0300 123 1100. It's open from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday, and can give you help in any language. If you have a hearing or speech impairment you can use their Text Relay service on 18001 0300 123 1100. They may also be able to help you to sort out the problem with the person you work for. This is called mediation
• if you are disabled and want advice about your employment rights you can contact the Disability Law Service (DLS) on 0207 791 9800 or email [email protected]
• Working Families are a national charity and have a free Legal Advice Service providing employment law and in-work benefits advice to parents and carers. You can visit the advice section of their website for more detailed information, use their advice contact form if you need personal advice via email (they aim to respond within five working days). Alternatively, you can call their helpline to speak to an adviser on 0300 012 0312 (open Monday to Friday 11-2pm).
• if you are a member of a Trade Union you can contact them directly for advice

Face-to-face advice



We've created a map of advice centres in London so you can get help with payslips. We've also provided their details in a list. Lots of them also give advice over the telephone or via email.



It’s important to remember that some places may only be able to help you:

• with certain things like general advice or filling in forms
• if you live or work close to them (eg you may have to live in the same borough)
• if you come from certain countries or backgrounds (eg you come from Eastern or Central Europe)
• if you don’t earn very much or are struggling with money
• if you have telephoned them first to make an appointment

Make sure you check the details on our map or list of centres to find the right place to help with your problem.

There is lots of good general information on the government's website about workplace pensions.

If you do think you have a problem with workplace pensions there is some good advice on the Pensions Regulator website about what you can do and who you need to tell. You can also report the person you work for.

If you need more support with dealing with a problem with workplace pensions, it’s really important to get as much information as possible ready before contacting someone for help. Things you might need include:

• a description of the problem you are having
• a copy of your employment contract (if you have one)
• a copy of any recent pay slips (if you have one)
• a copy of any pensions statements (if you have them)
• a copy of any letters or emails between you and the person you work for that relate to the problem you are having
• details of any conversations about the problem you have had with the person you work for

• for general questions about workplace pensions you can call the government's Workplace Pension Information Line on 0800 731 0372. It is open from 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday. If you cannot hear or speak on the phone you can call 18001 then 0800 731 0372 for NGT text relay. The textphone number is 0800 731 0392
• if you are having a problem with automatic enrolment or you need advice about workplace pensions you can call the Pensions Advisory Service on 0800 011 3797. They are open from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. There is more information on their website about other ways you can contact them, like webchat or by post
• if you want information or advice about whether to take out a workplace pension or not there is lots of good information on the Money Advice Service website. It includes an advice tool and calculator