diff --git a/core/views.py b/core/views.py
index fa19eaf..b8010f3 100644
--- a/core/views.py
+++ b/core/views.py
@@ -1262,7 +1262,10 @@ def work_log_payroll_ajax(request, log_id):
 
     return JsonResponse({
         'log_id': log.id,
-        'date': _date_iso(log.date),
+        # Human-readable so the modal header reads "Friday, 15 May 2026"
+        # instead of "2026-05-15". strftime is zero-overhead — the date
+        # object is already in memory.
+        'date': log.date.strftime('%A, %d %B %Y'),
         'project': {'id': log.project.id, 'name': log.project.name} if log.project else None,
         'team': {'id': log.team.id, 'name': log.team.name} if log.team else None,
         # get_full_name() returns "" if no first/last, so fall back to username.