How To Handle Discrepancy With Pay From Employer

Did it not occur to you that a simple call to payroll could clear things up? Seems the lack of communication goes both ways.

I did call payroll but it was midnight, noone was in the office. I am always in someone's ear at that place, I get vague answers. Lack of communication is definitely on their end, not mine.

Of course I will talk to them first about my pay but I would like to hear any suggestions on how to handle this before I do something unnecessary

Just in case you didn't see this in the post....

No, actually I wonder why you'd expect to contact payroll at midnight. Why you are contemplating quitting over what is very likely a simple payroll error before even talking to payroll. Why you are frustrated over lack of communication and lack of training after a mere 2 weeks. Is this your first ever job? You've never had an issue with payroll or any other department of your previous employer? Yes, it is common for stuff to happen, you call the appropriate department during business hours and get clarification, thats how it has always worked in the real world. If you are expecting to have multiple daily conversations with the office personnel, never have any payroll issues, have someone show you how to strap and tarp every different kind of freight you pickup you will continue to be severely disappointed. Truck driving is very much a solo job, you are shown the basics and expected to be able to figure the rest out as you go. If you can't do that, you will not make it in this industry. Hell, thats why most of us love this job, the independent nature of not having to deal with a boss.

Re-read Laura's second comment above.

Also Mikey B, I'm on this site asking questions and trying to get advice as much as possible. Don't you think I would be doing the same at Knight??

Actually, no because we have seen it far too many times where beginners get frustrated and they come here but don't think to go to their office to ask questions there. Don't know why it is, but it is that way a lot.

Laura

No, I did not think you would do the same at Knight or you wouldn't have even posted this until after you had called payroll (during office hours when they are there) and then only if it wasn't settled to your satisfaction.

Thank you Old School once again. This is all very confusing right now and I'm grateful for the drivers like you who actually want to help a rookie driver. I've also come across drivers on the road that have given me good advice

TwoSides,

As you know, I've been following you rather (very) closely, in your journey. Here's a 'maybe:' Perhaps on those two runs you 'shadowed/followed' the other drivers, they were (again) giving you "training" cpm? Or, split pay with the other drivers somehow?

Just a thought that entered my pea brain, hahaha!

Best wishes, sir. Keep keeping on; I know you're frustrated. I'm sorry!

~ Anne ~

Actually, no because we have seen it far too many times where beginners get frustrated and they come here but don't think to go to their office to ask questions there. Don't know why it is, but it is that way a lot.

Laura

I understand that. But please try not to put me into the same group as others. Is that not the same as ppl saying all truckers are a certain way because of the few that give trucking a bad name? I mean no disrespect towards you Laura. Thank you for your reply

You’ve been there 2 weeks solo; and you’re ready to quit? Good grief Man...you have no idea what you have at Knight.

OldSchool has been with Knight for many years and not once hinted at their lack of communication. He will likely make six figures this year.

Your payroll issue will get worked out. Try to be patient.

I obviously am overlooking something here at Knight, maybe I'm more focused on driving safely and doing the job correctly. The ppl here are nice though

And to be fair, Old School is at a different terminal than I. Maybe his terminal is better with their drivers?? Idk

This all seems like an over reaction until you speak to someone in payroll. When does their pay period end? With us anything after midnight Thursday goes on next weeks check. You might have missed the cut off.

If you want to jump ship so fast you'll never be happy.

No, actually I wonder why you'd expect to contact payroll at midnight. Why you are contemplating quitting over what is very likely a simple payroll error before even talking to payroll. Why you are frustrated over lack of communication and lack of training after a mere 2 weeks. Is this your first ever job? You've never had an issue with payroll or any other department of your previous employer? Yes, it is common for stuff to happen, you call the appropriate department during business hours and get clarification, thats how it has always worked in the real world. If you are expecting to have multiple daily conversations with the office personnel, never have any payroll issues, have someone show you how to strap and tarp every different kind of freight you pickup you will continue to be severely disappointed. Truck driving is very much a solo job, you are shown the basics and expected to be able to figure the rest out as you go. If you can't do that, you will not make it in this industry. Hell, thats why most of us love this job, the independent nature of not having to deal with a boss.

Hi Mikey, just for some clarification, I called at midnight because that is the time I finally had to myself after driving. I wanted answers asap... My frustration with the lack of communication is because I expect there to be more communication. No I'm not looking for a daily conversation or someone to "baby" me through this process but I do expect to be trained properly and to have a clear explanation of the training. That could be my fault in my expectations.

I came to trucking after owning a landscaping company for 15yrs, I communicated with my workers often, every question they had I answered, if they had a problem with the job I walked them through it and I trained them thoroughly and had trainers I trusted to do the same. I also never messed up their pay or had anyone question me about their pay. I have had complications getting payment for jobs but it did work out in the end.

I came here first so I wouldn't do something drastic when I wasn't in the right mind state. I was exhausted yesterday and to top it off my pay wasn't right. IDMtnGal suggested I get some rest and I should have instead of posting. I come here for support and wisdom. This post was more of me venting since I had noone to talk to at that time. If venting is not allowed here then I will no longer do so. I have read about the pressure of going solo for your first yr but that does not compare to actually doing it.

Also I expect a company to show me how to tarp and strap different kinds of freight. I don't see anything wrong in my expectations with that. Dry van drop and hook is simple. Not much explanation needed for that. Same as if a dry van driver has to unload the freight, he should be shown how to do so.

With all the frustration, I still do enjoy this journey so far and expect to retire as a truck driver....

I wanted answers asap... My frustration with the lack of communication is because I expect there to be more communication. 

That's not realistic. When I have an issue I email somebody and wait for them to get back to be. It works best because when they're focused on my issue, they're 100% focused on my issue. You have to remember that they're probably dealing with a bunch of other stuff at the same time.

I came to trucking after owning a landscaping company for 15yrs,

You're comparing a company with thousands of employees to a local landscaping company. It's not the same.

This post was more of me venting since I had noone to talk to at that time. If venting is not allowed here then I will no longer do so. 

The issue isn't you venting, it's you bashing. You didn't come on and say "hey, my pay isn't right this is what I did or what should I do". You went off on payroll, their communication, the training the whole thing. It's not the same. Keep in mind that its not a reasonable expectation to get someone on the phone on the weekend at midnight.

Also I expect a company to show me how to tarp and strap different kinds of freight.

Also not a realistic expectation. Like Brody said, you get a guideline and figure it out. Ask questions, use youtube, post pictures, but you have to figure it out. There's no cookie cutter way to do this, so you have to figure it out. You're wanting to be an expert in 2 weeks instead of taking the time to learn it on your own.

Again, 2Sides....

COULD it be ... that you WERE ON a training pay structure, since you were following a lead driver? I'm not saying that's 'cool' or 'fair' .. but might be some devil in the details in some paperwork (or email?) or something you'd gotten??

One never knows, until they ask;

Monday will be here soon enough.

Stay safe, stay blessed; driver. You've gotten some SAGE advice here, from the pros !!

~ Anne ~

Also not a realistic expectation. Like Brody said, you get a guideline and figure it out. Ask questions, use youtube, post pictures, but you have to figure it out. There's no cookie cutter way to do this, so you have to figure it out. You're wanting to be an expert in 2 weeks instead of taking the time to learn it on your own.

Yes Banks, I'm asking thousands of questions and on YouTube constantly, also posting pics.

I'm not trying to be an expert in 2 weeks, or maybe I am lol. I strive to do the best I can in everything I do, it makes me feel good knowing I've done my best. It's just I don't like being confused. And right now I'm very confused which is leading to more unnecessary stress. Right now I feel like I'm not getting everything I need for the task even when asking questions. I'm capable of winging it but not with flatbed work. Figuring out flatbed on my own could result in killing myself or someone else because I strapped a load incorrectly. I'm learning how to back a spread axle trailer on my own but I do not feel comfortable yet with strapping a load with only 2 days of training.

Again, 2Sides....

COULD it be ... that you WERE ON a training pay structure, since you were following a lead driver? I'm not saying that's 'cool' or 'fair' .. but might be some devil in the details in some paperwork (or email?) or something you'd gotten??

One never knows, until they ask;

Monday will be here soon enough.

Stay safe, stay blessed; driver. You've gotten some SAGE advice here, from the pros !!

~ Anne ~

Not sure Anne, I wasn't told I would still be on a training pay scale while following a driver. Yes Monday will be here soon enough and I can speak with someone about this. Thanks Anne.

Also, what is per diem? Old School mentioned that might be what I'm confused about but how would that affect my pay?? I see it is in my pay stub but I don't know what it actually is...