Unpaid Wages Claim Letter Generator UK
Generate a formal letter requesting unpaid wages, see the total you're owed, and check your estimated employment tribunal time limit before it runs out.
Your Details & The Unpaid Wages
Amount Breakdown
| Item | Detail | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Main missed payment | Enter the amount owed above | - |
| Additional missed payment | Optional second amount | - |
| Total Amount Owed | Main + additional | - |
Scenario Analysis
| Scenario | Estimated Deadline | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Your current estimate | - | - |
| If unresolved after 14 days | - | - |
| If this is part of a series of missed payments | - | - |
Unpaid Wages Claim Timeline
Wages fall dueThe date your pay should have been paid in full.
Raise it informallyContact payroll or your manager first — it may be a simple error.
Send a formal letterUse the generated letter to create a clear written record and request payment within 14 days.
Allow time for a responseGive a reasonable period, commonly around 14 days, for your employer to pay or reply.
Contact Acas for Early ConciliationRequired before most employment tribunal claims, and it can pause your time limit.
Submit an ET1 to the employment tribunalIf still unresolved and within the time limit, or as extended by Early Conciliation.
What Is An Unpaid Wages Claim Letter?
An unpaid wages claim letter is a formal, written request asking an employer to pay wages that are owed. It sets out what you are owed, why, and by when, and creates a clear record that you raised the issue before considering Acas Early Conciliation or an employment tribunal claim.
How Does Unlawful Deduction Of Wages Work?
Part II of the Employment Rights Act 1996 gives workers the right not to suffer an unauthorised deduction from their wages. A deduction is only lawful if it is required by law, agreed by you in writing beforehand, or falls under a specific exception. Non-payment of wages properly due is treated the same way as a deduction.
Who Can Use This Tool?
Employees, workers, zero-hours staff and most agency workers in the UK can use this tool if they have not received wages they are owed. It applies whether you are still employed or have recently left the job, since leaving does not remove your right to wages already earned.
Common Mistakes
Common mistakes include missing the employment tribunal time limit, not raising the issue in writing before escalating, not keeping a copy of the letter and any reply, and not adding up every missed payment when a series of deductions has happened over more than one payday.
What Happens Next?
After sending the letter, give the employer the response period stated in it, while protecting your legal deadline. If there is no resolution, the next step is usually to notify Acas for Early Conciliation, which is required before most employment tribunal claims and can pause the limitation clock. An internal grievance does not itself extend the tribunal deadline. If the missing amount forms part of your leaving payment, use the Final Pay Calculator to separate wages, holiday and other final-pay elements.
Evidence Checklist Before You Send The Letter
Make the amount and deadline easy to verify. Keep the contract or written pay agreement, the payslip covering the shortfall, a bank statement showing what arrived, timesheets or rota records, and messages already exchanged with payroll. Write down each contractual pay date and the gross amount due; if there are linked deductions, list them separately rather than giving only one unexplained total.
Use the matching CoryVu check where the shortfall is not ordinary wages: estimate missing notice with the Loss of Notice Pay Calculator, or check the statutory element with the Redundancy Pay Calculator. Attach or quote only records relevant to the sum claimed, keep a copy of the sent letter, and record how and when it was delivered.
Important Considerations
This letter is an informal step, not a tribunal claim. As at 22 July 2026, Acas states that the usual unlawful-deduction limit is 3 months minus 1 day; Acas also says the limit for most claims is scheduled to increase to 6 months in October 2026. If your employer is insolvent, a different route through the Insolvency Service may apply. Always check the rule in force and notify Acas in time rather than waiting for the letter or grievance process to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as unpaid wages?
Unpaid wages include wages not paid at all, wages paid less than agreed, wages paid late and still outstanding, and unauthorised deductions such as an unexplained shortfall on a payslip.
What is an unlawful deduction from wages?
Under the Employment Rights Act 1996, an employer cannot deduct from or withhold wages unless the deduction is required by law, agreed in writing in advance, or falls under a specific exception. Non-payment is treated the same way as a deduction.
How long do I have to make a claim?
As at 22 July 2026, the usual time limit for an unlawful-deduction claim is 3 months minus 1 day from the incorrect payment, or the latest linked deduction. Acas says this is scheduled to increase to 6 months in October 2026, so check the current rule before relying on a date. A grievance does not itself extend the deadline.
What is Acas Early Conciliation and do I need it?
Acas Early Conciliation is a free, mandatory first step before most employment tribunal claims. You notify Acas, and a conciliator tries to help you reach an agreement with your employer before a claim is lodged.
Does this letter start a tribunal claim?
No. It is an informal request for payment. A tribunal claim needs a separate ET1 form, usually after Acas Early Conciliation.
What if my employer ignores the letter?
If there is no response or payment within a reasonable period, commonly around 14 days, the next step is usually to contact Acas for Early Conciliation.
Can I still claim if I've left the job?
Yes. Leaving a job does not remove your right to wages already earned. The same time limit rules apply from the date the wages were due.
Does it matter if I'm paid weekly or monthly?
No, the time limit still runs from the date each specific payment was due, whatever your pay frequency.
What if there were several missed or short payments?
Add the additional amount field to combine two missed payments into one total. A series of deductions has its time limit measured from the most recent one in the series.
What if my employer says I owe them money instead?
Deductions to recover a genuine payroll error can be lawful in some situations, but your employer normally still needs your written agreement or a specific legal basis. Get advice if this is disputed.
Can agency workers or zero-hours workers use this?
Yes. The right not to suffer unauthorised deductions applies to workers as well as employees, which includes most agency and zero-hours arrangements.
What if my employer has gone out of business or is insolvent?
A different route may apply through the Insolvency Service Redundancy Payments Service rather than a claim against the employer directly. Get advice on which route fits your situation.
Is there a fee to make an employment tribunal claim?
There is currently no fee to lodge most employment tribunal claims in England, Scotland and Wales. Always confirm the current position before proceeding.
Should I keep evidence?
Yes. Keep payslips, your contract, messages with your employer, and a copy of this letter and any reply you receive.
Is this legal advice?
No. This tool provides an estimate and a draft letter only. It is not legal, tax, financial, or employment advice. Contact Acas, Citizens Advice, a trade union, or an employment solicitor for advice on your specific situation.
Sources
- Employment Rights Act 1996, Section 13 — right not to suffer unauthorised deductions
- Acas – Employment tribunal time limits
- Acas – Deductions from pay and wages
- Acas – Employment Rights Act 2025 implementation dates
- Acas – Early conciliation
- Citizens Advice – If your employer hasn't paid you what they owe you
- GOV.UK – Make a claim to an employment tribunal
Last updated: 2026-07-22. This page gives an estimate and a draft letter only. It is not legal, tax, financial, or employment advice.