What Last Drawn Salary Means
You want to know which pay figure a dismissal claim is counted from.
Last-drawn salary simply means the monthly pay you were on when your job ended.
What it means
It is your basic salary at the time of dismissal. It is the starting figure for remedies such as back wages if your case succeeds.
It is usually your regular monthly basic pay, but allowances and other pay components may be treated differently depending on how your pay was set up.
Why it matters to you
This figure feeds into every remedy calculation, so keep an accurate record, especially if your pay changed shortly before you were dismissed.
A dispute over the figure is a narrow factual question, separate from fairness, and clear payslips usually settle it.
What counts toward this figure
Gather your latest payslips and the part of your contract that describes your salary. Together they are the clearest proof of your last-drawn salary.
The figure matters most for back wages and compensation in lieu of reinstatement, which are both worked out from it.
Whatever the figure turns out to be, check your 60-day filing window on the deadline calculator first.
If you want your last-drawn salary counted correctly in a claim, send the date and what happened. An independent employment lawyer can review whether it is a case they can take on.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.
Common questions
Does last-drawn salary include bonuses and allowances?
This depends on how your pay is structured and what your contract calls basic salary rather than allowances. Compare your payslip breakdown with your contract.
What if my salary changed shortly before I was dismissed?
Your figure at the point of dismissal is the relevant one, so document any recent rise or cut clearly.
Keep reading
If you want your last-drawn salary counted correctly in a claim, send the date and what happened. An independent employment lawyer can review whether it is a case they can take on.
For people seeking legal representation. For general information, please use our guides and tools.
First contact: general facts only, such as date, location, employment status and a short summary. Keep documents private until an identified independent lawyer contacts you and specifically requests them.