Previous company withholding salary?

Hi, my friends previous company (in UK) are threatening to not pay her for her last week of work. This is quite a problem for her with rent etc.

There was not a formal contract signed between the two parties - but we're both pretty sure the earnings of the company are not being declared to the tax man.

There is a record of the work performed - we know there are laws against slavery in this country, so surely there must be a suitable argument which can be used (such as threatening with a tax inspection from her majesty's tax office) without causing too much conflict but ensuring that the money is paid.

Any advise please!

From what I know, she would leave for work on time, and would very often be working something like a 14 hour day. There was no problem until she wanted to hand in her notice and was refused her week in hand.

You say she was 'refused her week in hand'. I assume you mean that she had worked for a whole week but not been paid for that week.

If so then it could be that she was required to give one week's notice under the terms of her contract. Just because there wasn't a written contract doesn't mean there's no contract. The employer could have said that a week's notice was needed and that would have been enough (although there should have been a written contract to avoid disputes like this). So if she wanted to leave on Monday she would need to say this the previous Monday.

If she didn't give the proper notice provided for in the contract then the company could legitimately say that they're not going to pay her.

I'd suggest you ask why you're not being paid for that last week of work and post the explanation so others can assist you to handle it.

You can't threaten someone with a tax investigation. All you can do is give information to HMRC which you think suggests the company is not paying its tax, or paying the National Minimum Wage, and then HMRC will consider whether to investigate or not. And you're unlikely to ever find out whether they did investigate.

she writes a letter to them asking for everything she is owed (detailed - the phrase is 'unlawful deductions from wages' when they dont pay you) If she doesnt get it send another saying it must be paid within 7 days or she will take them to an industrial tribunal. Send the letters recorded delivery. Also tell the tax man if she thinks she is not having her tax paid cos legally she is responsible for paying it if it isnt done, and theyll want it all in one go. She can sue him for it if hes taken it out of her wages, or she can just threaten him with the tax man cos if hes dodgy enough to not pay tax hes probably dodgy in other ways.

Good observation !! & even better point of veiw !! Maybe you'd want to look into a few more details as`.to why this is taking place !! Such as: Did your friend lack in her working at times? Or even missed more than alotted time away from work !?!/ for instance taking off of work maybe using what's called SICK DAYS off!?! TAXATION without representation is very wrong !! & un`fair !! Atleast that's said to be part of the laws here in the U.S.A. !! Search deeper if possible for more information on or about this matter !! and good luck !!. r`'R'`r .,.