Work
How to ask payroll about a short paycheck
You’re talking to Tasha, in payroll. Your last paycheck came in short. You call payroll. The goal: explain what is missing and ask for it to be fixed by a date.
Your first line
Tasha starts with “Payroll, this is Tasha. What’s going on with your check?”
“Hi Tasha. My check on the 15th was missing six hours of overtime, about $150. Can we get that fixed?”
Point first: the pay date, what’s missing and the amount in one breath lets her look it up right away. Ending on a question gets her working on the fix.
What Tasha might say, and what to say back
Tasha: “I’m showing what was approved, so the check matches the system.”
You: “Okay. I worked those six hours on the 9th and 10th, and my supervisor signed off. Can you check the timecard for those days?”
Tasha: “Those hours came in after cutoff, so it’ll go on your next check.”
You: “Got it. Since I did work them, can it go out as a separate payment this week instead?”
Tasha: “I can’t give you a date until I confirm the approval.”
You: “That’s fair. When will you know? And can I get a ticket number so I can follow up?”
Two things that trip people up
- Opening with “my check is wrong” and no details.Say the pay date, the missing hours and the amount before anything else.
- Getting angry at the person on the phone.Stay calm and stick to the numbers. She’s the one who can fix it.
Now say it out loud
Reading the words isn’t the same as saying them. Practice this one with Tasha pushing back like the real person would. Then your coach, Rae, fixes your exact words. The move to focus on: Point first.
Practice this one free3 free reps a day. No sign-up. Out loud or typed.