Employees left without salary after boss forgets to submit their working hours. Instead of helping, he replies 'Oops'

Delays in salary payments can quickly turn into a serious issue, especially for workers who rely on timely pay to manage rent, bills, and daily expenses. In many workplaces, payroll systems are expected to run smoothly with checks in place. But a recent post on Reddit shows how a single lapse can leave an entire team struggling, after a manager admitted to missing a crucial step.

According to the post, the situation came to light when the manager sent a message in the team group chat. He admitted that he had forgotten to submit payroll for the previous pay period.

“Our manager sent us a message on the team chat this morning saying he completely forgot to submit our hours for the last pay period. He says it didn't even cross his mind until he got an alert.”


The employee further explained that when the manager checked with HR, the response was not what the team expected.

“He told us that HR said they won't cover the cost of any emergency transfer, so the only solution is for the missing money to be added to our salary in three weeks.”

Employees say they cannot afford the delay

The delay has created immediate stress for workers who depend on timely salaries to manage basic expenses.

“A few of us immediately replied asking him how he's going to fix this, because we live paycheck to paycheck. I literally can't afford a missed paycheck; I have kids and rent that needs to be paid.”

What made the situation worse, the employee claimed, was the manager’s follow-up message.

“And then, I swear to God, this guy has the audacity to ask us on the team's Slack if we're upset with him, and if this is going to be a "big problem" for anyone. Oops”

Online reactions: ‘This is not a small mistake’

The post quickly gained attention, with many users saying the issue goes beyond a simple oversight.

Several commenters urged immediate escalation instead of relying on the manager’s version of events. One response read, “Dont talk to manager about this. Go straight to payroll/HR… Payroll doesnt take that long, they can do an off-cycle payroll, especially if its a whole team.”

Another user stressed urgency, saying, “File a claim IMMEDIATELY with your state Labor Board.”

There were also doubts about whether the situation was truly accidental. Some users pointed out that payroll systems usually have reminders and checks in place, making it unlikely that an entire team’s payment would be missed without notice.

Others warned that employees should document everything. One comment advised taking screenshots of the chat and keeping records in case the issue escalates further.

Some users argued that companies typically have backup systems to prevent such situations, while others suggested the delay could indicate deeper financial or management issues.

A recurring sentiment across responses was that employees should not bear the consequences of managerial mistakes. As one comment put it, “They still have to pay people for work you've already done… the employees are not the ones who should legally or financially shoulder the burden.”