WHERE'S MY PAYCHECK?

We've all been there. That rush of endorphins when an employer says, You're Hired!

Everything is all good. You learn the ropes (company), build rapport with coworkers while acclimating your schedule to fit your new lifestyle, employed. That is until the second most crucial calendar event next to your birthday occurs, but no gift, payday.

Rushing to your supervisor or human resources is only going to net you the final TKO. You must wait until the next pay period before receiving your first paycheck. With bills and subscriptions past due, this piece of information is the last you want to hear.

An adage I highly recommend, KNOW BEFORE YOU SIGN! (message)

Knowing your salary is the first step in understanding that tricky transaction between you and your job/career = YOUR (PRICELESS) TIME for MONEY. To help me explain, I suggest you visit the Indeed website articles:

• When Do You Get Your First Paycheck?

• Why Do Jobs Hold My First Paycheck?

It is not enough to know how much the job pays, but when and how. You want to know :

1. Where does your hire date place you in terms of the payroll schedule?

2. How many pay schedules must you work until you receive your pay?

No headache, try understanding your Employee’s Withholding Certificate (W4) forms (tells HR how much you elect to reduce your pay for fed taxes) and other deductions to your take-home pay. For the pièce de résistance, what form will you receive your salary?

For those new or unaware, employers can now elect to pay their employees with an actual paycheck, through direct deposit, or most recently utilizing payroll cards (e.g., company debit card), each carrying individual pros and cons, conversation for another post.

Advancement in the workplace inspires all. Any surprises should be in the form of bonuses, not playing a guessing game with paychecks. So, before you affix your signature to any contract, ask questions, know what to expect and when.