Does my employer have to give me a payslip?

For employees and workers.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 30 September 2026

Yes. Employees and workers must get a payslip on or before payday, printed or online. It must show:

earnings before and after deductions
deductions that change each time, like tax and National Insurance
hours worked, if your pay depends on hours

Fixed deductions must be explained on the payslip or in a separate yearly statement.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

On or before payday
Shows all deductions
Paper or online

Who has the right to a payslip

In England, Scotland and Wales, you have the right to a payslip if you are:

an employee, or
a worker

Workers have had this right since 6 April 2019, for pay periods starting on or after that date.

Who does not get this right

You do not have a legal right to a payslip if you are:

self-employed, for example a contractor or freelancer who is not a worker
a police officer
a merchant seaman
a share fisherman, paid by a share of the profits or gross earnings of a fishing vessel

Conditions your payslip must meet

Rule	What it means
Timing	On or before payday
Format	Paper or online, your employer chooses
Pay	Your pay before and after deductions
Changing deductions	Each one shown, for example tax and National Insurance
Fixed deductions	Shown on the payslip, or in a separate written statement
Hours	Shown if your pay depends on the time you work

Hours can be shown as one total, or split by type of work or rate of pay.

If your employer uses a separate written statement for fixed deductions, such as paying back a season ticket loan, they must give it to you before your first payslip and update it every year.

Special cases

Variable hours. If you are paid by the hour, or your pay changes with the hours you work, the hours must be on the payslip.
Salaried staff on fixed pay. Your hours do not need to appear if your pay does not change with them.
Tax. Your payslip shows the tax taken off, but it is your job to check it is right. If you think the tax or your tax code is wrong, HMRC has guidance to help you check.

How to check, and what to do if there is a problem

Check each payslip when you get it. Look at your hours, gross pay, deductions and net pay.
Talk to your employer if a payslip is missing or wrong.
Use the grievance procedure if talking does not work.
Go to an employment tribunal as a last step. If it agrees your employer broke the rules, it must say so. It can also order your employer to pay back deductions that were not shown on your payslips in the 13 weeks before you made your claim.

You usually need to contact Acas before you can make a tribunal claim. Acas and Citizens Advice give free advice.

If you live in Northern Ireland

The rules are different. On nidirect, only employees have the right to a payslip. Workers, contractors and freelancers do not. Your payslip must show your gross pay, each fixed and variable deduction, your net pay, and how any part of your pay is paid. If there is a problem, speak to your employer first. You may be able to apply to an Industrial Tribunal. The Labour Relations Agency gives free advice.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check your tax is right

Common questions

When should I get my payslip?

Your payslip must be given to you on or before payday.

Can my employer give me an online payslip?

Yes, your employer can choose to give you a printed or an online payslip.

Do self-employed people get payslips?

No, the right only covers employees and workers. Police officers, merchant seamen and share fishermen are also not covered.

Does my payslip have to show fixed deductions?

Fixed deductions must be shown on your payslip or explained in a separate statement your employer gives you every year.

Source: Payslips: employee rights

Checked against GOV.UK on 30 September 2026

Ask about your situation

Please don't include your name, address, National Insurance number or health details. See our privacy notice.