Many young people recognize this problem: you’ve worked, but not all hours have been paid. Sometimes it’s a few hours, sometimes systematically missed shifts, breaks being deducted, or “extra” work that shows up nowhere on your payslip.
Is that allowed? No. Hours worked must be paid.

In this blog you’ll read what your rights are, when employers are in the wrong and how you can still get your wages.

When do hours worked have to be paid?

The main rule is simple:
👉 everything you work must be paid for.

That also applies to:

• side jobs

• part-time work

• zero-hours contracts

• temporary agency work

• student jobs

It doesn’t matter if it is “only” a few hours.

Common excuses (and why they are not correct)

Employers often say:

• “Those were training hours”

• “That was a trial day”

• “You weren’t on the schedule”

• “That’s part of your job”

• “That was a break”

👉 In most cases these are no valid reasons not to pay wages.

Training hours and trial days

Have you:

• shadowed

• been trained

• done a trial day

Then usually: that is work and must be paid.
Unpaid “trial shifts” are often not allowed, especially if you are actually working.

Breaks and preparation time

Not every break is unpaid.
What matters is:

• were you required to be present?

• could you use your time freely?

• did you have to remain reachable?

Also time for:

• opening or closing

• cleaning

• handover

• changing clothes (in some cases)

can count as paid working time.

What if hours are deliberately not recorded?

Some employers:

• delete hours afterwards

• adjust schedules

• record fewer hours on the payslip

👉 That is not allowed.
The payslip must match what you actually worked.

How can you prove that you worked?

Proof can be:

• schedules

• texts or emails

• time clock or app records

• calendars

• witnesses (colleagues)

You don’t need to prove everything. Making it plausible is often sufficient.

What should you do if your hours have not been paid?

Follow this step-by-step plan:

1. Check your payslip carefully

2. List which hours are missing

3. Request a correction in writing

4. Keep all evidence

5. Take action if payment is not made

If payment is not made, you can:

• claim wages

• sometimes claim a surcharge and interest

• consider legal action

Common mistakes by young people

• thinking that it’s about “too little money”

• not daring to say anything

• not keeping evidence

• responding too late

• assuming the employer is right

That’s a shame. Young people in particular often leave money on the table here.

Are you unsure whether your hours were justifiably not paid?

Are you:

• student

• part-timer

• temporary agency worker

• young person with a part-time job

and are you missing wages or hours on your payslip?

Then have it checked. Often it turns out that:

• the employer is at fault

• you are entitled to back pay

• additional compensation is possible

👉 Feel free to get in touch to have your situation assessed.