Q: We’re paid on the 1st and 15th of each month. When payday falls on the weekend we don’t get paid until Monday. But if Monday is a holiday, we don’t see our pay deposited until Tuesday which means it doesn’t show up in our accounts until Wednesday.
The problem is our mortgage gets automatically deducted on the 1st, and even though I try to keep enough money in our account to cover delays, if we have an emergency or car issues sometimes I can’t, and then we get hit with late charges.
I want to bring this up with my employer but my husband says I shouldn’t say anything. Your advice?
A: There are many people out there who –like you- are also trying to juggle bills and paychecks. Your predicament is more pointed because you’re on a semi-monthly payroll, but it’s not unique. I’ve seen plenty of employees on different payroll cycles deal with similar issues. So you’re not alone.
Whether it would be a good idea for you to bring this up with your employer depends on many factors. For instance: how long you’ve worked there, you’re standing in the company, your relationship with management; whether the company culture is employee-centered or more impersonal; whether they’re a small business (“like family”) or a large company.
The best-case scenario is that you bring it up to your employer and they’re able to somehow adjust their pay schedule in anticipation for those rare holiday/payday instances . They’ll be sympathetic and helpful. But realistically, chances are there’s not much they can do about dates or about changing when the bank makes the money available once they deposit it. Most likely, they would be sympathetic, but not much will change.
The worst-case scenario (perhaps what your husband fears) is that by saying something, you run the risk that your employer will think you aren’t managing your money wisely. That you should’ve planned better. That this will reflect poorly on you.
Only you are in the best position to decide which scenario is most likely to unfold, and whether it’s worth the risk.
Either way, start planning now for the next poorly-timed holiday and make sure you have enough of a cushion to avoid late fees. Hope this helps.
©Copyright Eva Del Rio
Eva Del Rio is creator of HR Box™ – tools for small businesses and startups. Send questions to Eva@evadelrio.com
