1. Find the pay period
Your payslip shows the dates it covers, or a cut-off date. Many shift jobs pay in arrears, so this month's payslip may cover last month's shifts.
2. Check the hours
Add up every shift in that period from your own record (start to finish, minus unpaid breaks) and compare with the hours on the payslip.
3. Check the rates
Make sure each shift was paid at the right rate, especially nights, weekends, bank holidays and any site or role with a different rate.
4. Check holiday, deductions and tax
- Holiday pay: taken or rolled-up (12.07%) and shown separately
- Deductions: nothing you didn't agree to, and nothing that takes you below the minimum wage
- Tax code: watch for emergency codes such as 1257L W1/M1 or 0T, and BR on a second job
5. If something's wrong
Raise it in writing with the dates, hours and amount. Most mistakes are fixed then. If not, see how to chase unpaid wages.
A worked example
Your payslip for the 1st to the 28th shows 112 hours at £12.71: £1,423.52. Your own record shows 10 shifts of 11.5 paid hours, which is 115 hours. The 3-hour gap is worth £38.13. That could be one shift paid at the wrong length, or a break deducted that you didn't take. Look for the shift that doesn't match.
What every payslip must show
- Your gross pay before deductions
- Every deduction, and what it's for
- Your net pay
- The hours you're paid for, if your pay varies with the time you work
Spotting a wrong tax code
The standard code for 2026/27 is 1257L (S1257L in Scotland, C1257L in Wales). BR on your main job, 0T, or W1/M1 at the end of your code all mean you're probably paying more tax than you should. Check your code in the HMRC app and ask HMRC to correct it if it's wrong. Any overpaid tax usually comes back through your payslips once the code is fixed.
Keep your own record
Paste the rota message you were sent and Shiftaan fills in the shift for you. Give it a go.
Common questions
What does W1 or M1 mean on my tax code?
It's an emergency (non-cumulative) code: tax is worked out on each payslip on its own. It's often temporary and you may be paying too much; check with HMRC.
Am I entitled to a payslip?
Yes. Every employee and worker has a right to an itemised payslip on or before payday, including the hours paid if your pay varies.