If a figure looks wrong, ask — that's the right thing to do. This article shows how to ask so you get a quick answer, and how to first check the things that explain most cases yourself.
Check first — four questions
- Does the number of working days on the payslip match your timesheet? Open that month's timesheet (article B6-22) and compare.
- Did you take any days off during the month? Unpaid leave reduces your pay; paid leave does not.
- Have your requests been approved? If an overtime request hasn't been approved, those hours aren't counted.
- Do you have a salary advance being deducted in installments?
These four questions explain most "my pay is less than I expected" cases. Checking first helps you ask the right person and saves time for both sides.
Prepare information before asking
A question that includes the following four pieces of information will be handled much faster:
| Information | Example |
|---|---|
| Pay period | September 2026 |
| The specific line on the payslip | The "Night shift allowance" line |
| The figure you see and the figure you think is correct | The payslip shows 0, I worked 6 night shifts |
| Your supporting evidence | My work schedule for weeks 36 and 37 shows 6 night shifts |
Compare two ways of asking: "This month's pay is wrong" and "In September the Night shift allowance line shows 0, but my work schedule has 6 night shifts in weeks 36 and 37". The second is resolved the same day; the first takes several rounds of back-and-forth just to clarify the problem.
Submitting your question
- Take a screenshot of the payslip and circle the problematic line.
- Send it to HR through the channel your company specifies — usually a request type in the Requests section, or internal email.
- Include all four pieces of information from the table above.
- Keep the screenshot until the issue is resolved.
If your company has a request type for payroll questions in the Requests section, use it instead of sending a private message. Requests are tracked, have someone responsible for handling them, and let you follow their status.
Reasonable timeframes
| Task | Typical time |
|---|---|
| HR confirms receipt | Within the business day |
| Answer to a simple question | 1–2 business days |
| Answer to an issue that requires reviewing multiple periods | Up to a week |
| Adjustment to the payroll | Usually in the next period; periods already paid are not edited |
If the company finds that you were underpaid, the difference is usually made up in the next pay period with a note, rather than by editing the old period. This is the standard practice for record-keeping, not a delaying tactic.
If you don't get a response
- Follow up once, including the request ID or the date you submitted it.
- If there is still no response, notify your line manager.
- If it's still not resolved, request a direct conversation with the person in charge of payroll.
Keep all communication in a channel that leaves a record. A verbal agreement about pay is something no one can prove later, even when both sides act in good faith.
