Need 6 Months Pay Stubs, How to Approach Employer?

[Dan76]

Is there anyway I can approach my employer about getting pay stubs for past six months without telling them I am planning on filing BK? I know I can't be fired but I feel uncomfortable telling them about it. What other reason could I need them for?

[keepinitreal]

You could say the bank needs them for a loan application. Are your paychecks produced in-house or are they done by a large company like ADP? If a company like ADP produces your paychecks, you could contact them directly with your request.

[tobee43]

i agree with keepinit...just say you need it for anything...a loan...the bank..

it's always good to keep them for at least a year...i know if hind sight were 20/20....

[nekom]

I'm not sure how other places are run, but where I work I would be the one handling that request and I wouldn't ask what it was for. It wouldn't even occur to me to ask or care.

Employee: Can you print me a pay ledger for the last 6 months?
Me: Sure, here ya go.

Isn't this something that you have a right to know and no obligation to explain why you want it?

[ccsjoe]

You are not equired to explain why you want your last 6 months pay stubs...or last year's pay stubs. You just request them. No why.

[tobee43]

You are not equired to explain why you want your last 6 months pay stubs...or last year's pay stubs. You just request them. No why.

your right...loose lips sink tankers...

[AngelinaCat]

I had to request pay stubs from our HR person at the small city government where I was employed, four times, as our filing date kept getting pushed back. I also had to request copies of 'Hub's invoices and 1099s (he worked at the same place on call as an independent contractor). So we had to deal with two different departments. And all of these people were friends of ours, but we said nothing about why we needed these things. Though it was getting embarrassing when I had to ask the third and fourth times....

[Dougie011]

I just told them I needed pay stubs. He assumed it was for a car loan or something. He really didn't ask and I didn't have to say what it was for.

[Dan76]

Well I tried to call the payroll company, but they said my employer would need to contact them. I guess I'll just take the I need it for a loan route. I know you can't get fired because you file BK, but what about if they fire you before you file because they found out you were planning to? Just curious, I'm not really worried about it but I'm sure that's grounds for a lawsuit right?

[platter]

From what I've read, they can't fire you for that.

The main reason that I'd mention a little something about a loan is because I wouldn't want someone making a hair-brained assumption that I'm reviewing my past wages to search for errors on the company's part. A loan is typical and doesn't raise suspicions to anyone that might let their imagination run wild in assuming why you want it.

[free2breathe]

They legally cannot fire you because you are planning to or have filed bankruptcy. However, in this day and age, especially if you are in an "at will" state, they can come up with other reasons to fire someone. I think you're probably worrying too much though. Just approach HR at your employer, state that you need copies of your payroll stubs, and go from there. They probably won't ask why, and if they do, you just say you have misplaced the ones you saved and want to have them for your personal records.

[Dan76]

They legally cannot fire you because you are planning to or have filed bankruptcy. However, in this day and age, especially if you are in an "at will" state, they can come up with other reasons to fire someone. I think you're probably worrying too much though. Just approach HR at your employer, state that you need copies of your payroll stubs, and go from there. They probably won't ask why, and if they do, you just say you have misplaced the ones you saved and want to have them for your personal records.

Yeah well they already fired me once, what's one more time. LOL!

[free2breathe]

Yeah well they already fired me once, what's one more time. LOL!

LOL Dan!

Just another thought here, thanks to nekom stating they have the ability to print an earnings ledger for their employees. If your employer/payroll company claims they cannot reproduce your pay stubs for you, ask for an accounting of earnings/taxes for the last six months. If you are filing in November, you would need May1-Oct 31.

[nicole1969]

I have been working in HR for years. Employees often stop by to request copies of theirs stubs, most of the time we assume it is for tax purposes or a home refinance. HR protocol dictates that a company should never inquire what the employee needs them for. Most companies should follow this, but I am sure there a few that don't. It was not a favorite part of my job for a long time because it was not easy pulling the copies from the system (IE the actual stub copies no longer existed, you would have to run reports in order to get a snap shot of what the person earned.) So the only negative thought that would cross my mind when people would request copies is "why isn't this person organized and able to keep copies of their statements on their own." But I doubt if any staff are thinking about bankruptcy. Our company switched to online statements the last year I was there....saved the day, employees could go online and print out all past statements when needed (or save directly to PDF.)