Everyone
Payslips
If employees do not get a payslip or it does not have enough information, they can ask their employer for the information they want.
Employee rights
An employer does not have to give their employee a payslip unless their Employment agreements contain the terms and conditions of employment. Every employee must have a written employment agreement outlining the terms and conditions of employment. ‘Employment agreement’ has a broader meaning that includes all other documents and other agreements forming part of the contractual agreement between the employee and employer.
Employers are required to keep certain records, if a payslip is not provided, an employee can ask their employer to show or give them a copy of their:
- wages and time records
- holiday and leave records.
These records will show:
- pay rate
- hours worked and how much they were paid
- holiday and leave information.
If there is anything an employee does not understand, they can ask their employer to explain.
Payslips may contain:
- employee’s personal information
- information about their pay
- information about the hours they have worked.
Personal information on a payslip might include:
- name and/or employee number
- the date they started working for the employer
- their address
- their IRD number
- their bank account number if they're paid directly into their bank account
- the day or date they're paid on, for example, every 2nd Tuesday
- their pay period, for example weekly, fortnightly, or monthly
- leave balances
- the amount of time off in lieu (TOIL) that they are currently entitled to
- alternative holidays balance.
Employee pay
If an employee has taken leave or a holiday during their pay period, their payslip may show their pay for it, separately from the rest of their pay.
If the employee has agreed with their employer to get 8% of their gross earnings as holiday pay with their regular pay instead of taking holidays, this must be an identifiable part of their pay in their pay records. Employee can ask their employer to show how this has been calculated (and what has been included in the gross earnings).
Payslips may also show:
- pay rate – the amount the employee is paid per hour, which must be at least the relevant
minimum wage rateThis is the lowest amount an employee can be paid per hour. There are some exceptions and exemptions to this. There is no minimum wage for employees younger than 16.
- any allowances your employment agreement says you are entitled to
- any bonuses, commissions, or piece rates they are entitled to
- any
deductions made from their payAn employer can only make deductions from an employee’s pay if these deductions are required by law (eg PAYE tax), or are reasonable and agreed to in writing by the employee.
- any reimbursements agreed with the employer
- gross pay for the pay period – pay before tax and other deductions are made
- gross pay for the year to date (YTD – this usually refers to the tax year from 1 April to 31 March)
- net pay for the pay period – what an employee is paid after all deductions have been made
- net pay for the year to date (YTD – this usually refers to the tax year from 1 April to 31 March).
Employee work hours
An employer must keep records, including:
- the total hours an employee worked in the pay period
- the days they worked, and the hours worked each day (this can be split into usual hours and overtime hours)
- any hours worked on a public holiday
- any holiday they have taken during the pay period.
If an employee does not get a payslip, or it does not include the information they want, they can ask their employer for these details.
Getting advice
If an employee is unsure about their rights or responsibilities, or needs advice, call us on 0800 20 90 20 or email us.