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Wages must be paid in cash if employee insists
  • My employer insists on paying me my wages by cheque, and I cannot draw on them until the cheque has cleared.

  • Although most bank tellers will usually let me draw out money before the cheque has cleared, the automatic teller machines will not.

  • I get charged extra bank fees if I draw money out at the tellers rather than using the automatic teller machine.

  • I have complained to my boss and asked for my wages to be direct credited, but he says that the business is too small for that.

  • He also refuses to pay me in cash because he says it is too much hassle.

  • What can I do?
  • Under the Wages Protection Act you can insist on your employer paying you your wages in cash.

  • However, doing so is likely to be as much hassle for you as it is for your employer.

  • Most banks now offer telephone banking services. It may be possible for your employer to add your name to his bill payment menu and transfer your wages from his account to your account over the telephone.

  • Some banks also offer banking services via the Internet. Talk to your employer and see whether he can pay you through the telephone banking system or Internet.

  • Also have a talk to your bank and see whether there are any other banking services available which could overcome the problem.

Wages Protection Act 1983

Section 9. Agreement as to manner of payment of wages

(1) An employer may,

(a) With the written consent of a worker; or

(b) On the written request of a worker,

pay to that worker by postal order, money order, specified cheque, or lodgment at a financial institution to the credit of an account standing in the name of that worker or in the name of that worker and some other person or persons jointly, any wages that have become payable to that worker.

(2) A worker may vary or withdraw a consent given or request made by that worker under subsection (1) of this section by giving the employer written notice to that effect; and in that case, that employer shall

(a) Within 2 weeks of receiving that notice, if practicable; and

(b) As soon as is practicable, in every other case,

commence paying that worker in money, or in some other manner in accordance with subsection (1) of this section.

Link to the complete Wages Protection Act.

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More On the Wages Protection Act

  Cannot make deduction from employee without consent
  Employer can retrieve overpaid wages if done correctly
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More on Pay Calculation

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More on Pay Frequencies

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