Unpaid wages at work: Claim what you are owed under UK Employment Law
Not being paid for your work can create serious stress and financial difficulty. Whether you are missing wages, overtime, holiday pay, or your final paycheck, it can feel unfair and difficult to challenge your employer.
At Valla, we help you take practical, legal steps to recover what you are owed. You do not need a solicitor to raise a grievance, understand your rights, or make a Tribunal claim. We provide clear tools and expert-reviewed support to guide you through the process.
Ask a UK legal expert about your unpaid wages
Find out where you stand with the unpaid wages issues you're dealing with at work. Talk to a UK legal expert to understand if your issue has potential legal claims, so you can make a plan to resolve it.
What Unpaid Wages Means and Why It Matters
What are unpaid wages?
Unpaid wages refers to money your employer legally owes you but has not paid. This includes regular salary, overtime, holiday pay, sick pay, commission, bonuses, and your final paycheck when leaving a job.
This can happen when employers delay payment, make unlawful deductions, or refuse to pay what was promised in your contract. In some cases, employers may not understand the law or try to avoid paying what is owed.
Why it matters
Failing to pay wages is a breach of your contract and can also count as an unlawful deduction from wages under the Employment Rights Act 1996. You have a legal right to challenge this and recover the money you are owed.
Whether you are still employed or have already left the job, it is important to act quickly. There are strict time limits to bring a claim, and early action gives you the best chance of recovering your wages.
Recover Unpaid Wages in 5 Steps
If you have not been paid properly, you can take action to get what you are owed. Valla gives you the tools to handle it yourself, with guidance built around UK employment law.
Step 1: Record what is missing
Use our timeline tool to document what you are owed. Include dates, amounts, and the type of pay you have not received, such as wages, holiday pay, or bonuses.
Step 2: Gather evidence
Collect your employment contract, payslips, timesheets, resignation letters, and any messages that show what was agreed and what has not been paid.
Step 3: Raise a grievance
If your employer has not resolved the issue informally, you can raise a formal grievance. Use Valla’s templates to write a clear, professional letter that sets out what you are owed.
Step 4: Try ACAS Early Conciliation
Before starting a legal claim, you will need to contact ACAS. They can help resolve the issue without going to Tribunal, and will provide you with a certificate if the matter cannot be resolved.
Step 5: Submit a Tribunal claim
If your employer still does not pay, you can make a claim to the Employment Tribunal. Valla helps you complete the ET1 form and write your Particulars of Claim so you can submit a strong case.
Valla gives you a clear way to take action. We help you document what has happened, raise a formal grievance, and if needed, start a Tribunal claim to get your money back.
Why use Valla to claim unpaid wages
When your employer has not paid you, it can be hard to know where to start or how to speak up. Valla gives you everything you need to take action and get what you are owed, even if you have no legal experience.
Valla is designed to help people who cannot afford a lawyer but still deserve fair treatment. We guide you through the process and give your claim the best chance of success.
What you get with Valla:
What people say about Valla
"Valla was a breath of fresh air. They break everything down into easy-to-understand steps, giving me clarity and confidence."
- Jamie Blackwood, Essex
A clear and bold heading
What counts as unpaid wages?
Unpaid wages can include your salary, overtime, commission, bonuses, sick pay, holiday pay, and your final paycheck. If your employer has not paid you what you are contractually owed, it may be unlawful.
Can I claim unpaid wages if I no longer work there?
Yes. You can still claim unpaid wages after leaving your job, as long as you are within the time limit to bring a legal claim.
How far back can I claim unpaid wages?
You usually have three months less one day from the date of the last underpayment or deduction to make a claim to the Employment Tribunal.
Do I need to go through ACAS first?
Yes. Before you can start a Tribunal claim, you must go through ACAS Early Conciliation. This is a free process that helps try to resolve the issue without going to court.
What if my employer says I was overpaid?
If your employer is withholding wages because of a past overpayment, they still need to follow a fair and legal process. You may still have grounds to challenge it, especially if the deduction was not agreed.
Can I raise a grievance for unpaid wages?
Yes. A formal grievance is a common first step. It creates a written record and gives your employer a chance to respond before legal action.
What evidence do I need to make a claim?
You should gather your employment contract, payslips, timesheets, resignation letters, and any communications that show what was agreed and what you were paid.
Can I claim unpaid wages for cash-in-hand or zero-hours work?
Yes, if you can show you had an employment relationship and were not paid for work completed. Even informal jobs are covered by UK wage laws.
How much can I claim at Tribunal?
You can claim the full amount you are owed, plus any interest. There is no upper limit for unpaid wages claims in the Employment Tribunal.
Do I need a solicitor to recover unpaid wages?
No. You can represent yourself. Valla gives you the tools and templates to do this with confidence and at a lower cost.