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 Chapter 05: Back Pay
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          Rail Employer Reporting Instructions (RERI)
          Part IV - Particular Types of Compensation Payments
          Chapter 05: Back Pay
 Topics
    

      
              Part I - Prerequisite Knowledge for Rail Employer Reporting
          Part II - Establishment of Employee Records
          Part III - Principles of Service and Compensation
          Part IV - Particular Types of Compensation Payments
                                Chapter 01: Regular Earnings
          Chapter 02: Miscellaneous Compensation
          Chapter 03: Sick Pay
          Chapter 04: Vacation Pay
          Chapter 05: Back Pay
          Chapter 06: Pay for Time Lost
          Chapter 07: Separation/Severance Payments and Dismissal Allowance
          Chapter 08: Guarantee Payments
          Chapter 09: Contract Services
          Chapter 10: Various Non-Routine Payments
          Chapter 11: Compensation for Multiple Employers
          Chapter 12: Exclusions to Creditable Compensation
          Chapter 13: Selected Fringe Benefits
          Part V - Reports of Creditable Service and Compensation
          Part VI - Reports Related to Service and Compensation
          Part VII - Additional Communications about Service and Compensation Reports
          Part VIII - Employer Reporting System (ERS) Internet User Instructions
          Appendices Chapter 05: Back Pay
							 
							
							
            pdf iconRERI-Part IV_CH 5 (32.75 KB)
      
            **Back Pay Defined**

Back pay, as used in these instructions, is a retroactive wage increase. For example, a negotiated contract expires December 31st but employees continue to work while a new contract is negotiated. A new contract is approved in the following August which includes a pay increase retroactive to January 1st. The retroactive increase, or back pay, is paid in September, for work beginning January 1st.

**Crediting Back Pay**

Like other compensation, back pay may be creditable for the month compensation is paid or for the period earned. Also, like other compensation, if back pay is reported for the month paid and the employee makes a timely request that it be allocated instead to the month(s) earned, the employer must submit an adjustment report accordingly. See Part II, Chapter 5 for more information about employee protests of service and compensation records.

**No Service Month with Back Pay**

A service month should not be reported for the month that back pay was paid. In the case of a retroactive wage increase, it is presumed that service has already been credited based on the initial wage payment prior to the increase.

**Distinguishing Between Back Pay and Pay for Time Lost**

Back Pay under the RRA and RUIA is defined differently than pay for time lost. Employers have used the term back pay to refer to pay for time lost. For example, an employer may indicate that a discharged employee won reinstatement with back pay from the termination date. This would be payment for the period of lost wages, not back pay as defined under the RRA and RUIA. The name the employer gives to the payment does not govern the rules under which the payment is creditable. See the next chapter for instructions on reporting pay for time lost.
        ‹ Chapter 04: Vacation Pay | 
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 Last updated: 06/02/2017