Fill in the [brackets]
Subject: Final pay breakdown - [Your name]
Hi [Name], My last day of employment is [date]. Please send me an itemised breakdown of my final pay showing: 1. Ordinary wages up to and including my last day. 2. Notice: [worked / paid in lieu] and the dates and amount. 3. Annual holiday pay: the number of days or hours owing, how the pay is calculated (greater of ordinary weekly pay or average weekly earnings over the last 52 weeks), and the amount. 4. Public holidays, alternative holidays and any leave I am owed. 5. Redundancy compensation of $[amount] (clause [number] / agreed on [date]). 6. Any bonus, commission, allowance, KiwiSaver employer contribution or expense reimbursement owing. 7. Any deductions you propose to make, with the reason, and my written consent for each. Please also confirm the date the final pay will be in my account. Thank you, [Your name]
Tips
- Your employer must pay everything owed. Wages cannot be reduced for things like unreturned equipment without your consent.
- Annual holiday pay is generally calculated on the greater of your ordinary weekly pay or your average weekly earnings over the last 12 months. Use the final-pay calculator on this site to check the number.
- If you are told you are owed less than you expect, you can ask the employer to explain, then contact Employment New Zealand (0800 20 90 20) for help. You can bring a claim for unpaid wages to the Authority or a Labour Inspector can help.
- Do not agree to unrequested deductions from your final pay. Under the Wages Protection Act an employer needs your written consent in most cases.
- Get your IR56 / PAYE summary (and a payslip) for your records and for Work and Income.
General information, not legal advice. Keep a copy of everything you send. Spotted something out of date? Email help@unemployed.nz.