Work, pay & self-employment: questions and answers

United Kingdom 3

1. Can I claim business expenses from a generic builders invoice?

   A generic builders invoice can be part of the evidence for a business expense, but you need enough records to establish the work, business purpose, amount and correct…

2. How do you let go of your working life after leaving work?

   Letting go of work is easier when the financial plan is settled and the next phase has structure. Replace the role of work with routines, people and projects, while…

3. Should I volunteer for a pay cut?

   A voluntary pay cut is a major financial decision, not just a cheaper alternative to redundancy. Before agreeing, compare the reduced net pay with your essential costs…

United States 6

1. How do you work out a reasonable salary to ask for?

   Start with market data for the exact occupation, location and industry, then adjust for your experience and the job’s scope. Your target should be supported by…

2. Why do recruiters ask what salary you currently earn?

   Recruiters ask about current pay mainly to judge budget fit and to set a negotiation anchor. You do not need to lie. A stronger response is to discuss the role's range…

3. Must your employer pay you for 15 minutes before your shift?

   For a covered, nonexempt US employee, required work before a shift generally counts as hours worked and must be paid. Federal overtime generally applies after 40 hours…

4. Is it wrong to quit a job soon after receiving a bonus?

   Quitting after an earned bonus is not automatically unethical. The practical issue is whether the bonus terms contain a repayment or service requirement, whether the…

5. What should you do when an employer has not paid your salary on time?

   First check whether the delay is a payroll or bank-processing error, then ask payroll in writing for the payment date and amount. If wages remain unpaid, use the…

6. What does salary plus OTE mean in a job offer?

   “Salary plus OTE” usually means a guaranteed base salary plus “on-target earnings”: variable pay you would receive if you hit the employer’s stated performance target…

Worldwide 2

1. Could a pay rise delay retirement without looking unreasonable?

   Yes. A pay-rise request can be a normal retention conversation, but retirement remains your decision and your employer can say no. UK law generally lets people work…

2. What should you do if an interview feels unfair or discriminatory?

   If an interview feels unfair, separate ordinary poor interviewing from treatment linked to a protected characteristic or an immigration/work-rights issue. Record what…