Process
There is no entitlement to an advance of salary. We will consider all requests based on their own merits.
If an individual has received no, or a substantial reduction in their basic pay, we will make a payment unless:
- they are a new starter to the council, and
- started in post after the 15th of the month
We will then make a payment the following month.
Where an advance has been requested, the line manager must:
- complete and submit the 'advance payment request form' to payroll via email. The subject header must state ‘advance request’
- seeks authorisation from their head of service or headteacher.
To allow for tax, national insurance and pension deductions, the payroll team will calculate the payment to be made based on:
- 65% of the gross amount for those who are in a pension scheme
- 70% of the gross amount for those who are not in the pension scheme
This is because HMRC often changes tax codes, and we cannot predict this. The formula is therefore applied to prevent any potential overpayment going forward.
We would then pay an advance in the next available run.
Advance payments are usually visible in the employee's bank account by 6pm the day following approval.
In the next pay period, we will offset advance payments against (deducted from) the employee's net pay. This is to ensure payment is not made twice.
Monitoring of advance payments
Reports in respect of advance payments and overpayments will be shared with senior managers regularly. The reports will include the number and reasons for the advance payments having been made.