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Minimum Wage Cheats Named & Shamed Again

Minimum Wage Cheats Named & Shamed
09 March 2018 | Updated 14 March 2018
 

March 9 saw 179 employers named and shamed for underpaying thousands of minimum wage workers. 9,200 minimum wage workers were cheated out of £1.1 million.

As well as recovering backpay for the workers, the government also fined the employers a total of £1.3 million in penalties for breaking national minimum wage laws. The most prolific offending sectors in this round were retailers, hospitality businesses and hairdressers.

It comes ahead of the next rate rise on 1 April, when the National Living Wage will go up from £7.50 to £7.83 per hour. Apprentices under the age of 19 and those in the first year of their apprenticeship will benefit from a record 5.7% rise.

Later this month the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will launch a campaign to raise awareness of the new rates and encourage workers to speak to their employer if they think they are being underpaid.

Business Minister Andrew Griffiths said: "The world of work is changing and we have set out our plans to give millions of workers enhanced rights to ensure everyone is paid and treated fairly in the workplace.

"There are no excuses for short-changing workers. This is an absolute red line for this government and employers who cross it will get caught - not only are they forced to pay back every penny but they are also fined up to 200% of wages owed.

Bryan Sanderson, Chairman of the Low Pay Commission, said: "As the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates rise on 1 April, it is vital that workers understand their rights, and employers their obligations. The Low Pay Commission is pleased to see the government maintaining the momentum of its minimum wage enforcement.

"The recent announcement that all workers will have a right to payslips stating the hours they have worked – an idea originally proposed by the LPC – is a positive step."

 

Pay slips

This 14th naming round comes after the government published its Good Work plan last month, which announced the right to a payslip for all workers. The new law is likely to benefit around 300,000 UK workers who do not currently get a payslip.

For those paid by the hour, payslips will also have to include how many hours the worker is paid for, making pay easier to understand and challenge if it is wrong.

 

£9 million back pay

Since 2013 the scheme has identified more than £9 million in back pay for around 67,000 workers, with more than 1,700 employers fined a total of £6.3 million. The government has also committed £25.3 million for minimum wage enforcement in 2017 to 2018.

Employers who pay workers less than the minimum wage not only have to pay back arrears of wages to the worker at current minimum wage rates but also face financial penalties of up to 200% of arrears, capped at £20,000 per worker.

 

Top five from Round 14

Wagamama Limited, Westminster W1F, failed to pay £133,212.42 to 2,630 workers.

Marriott Hotels Limited, Luton LU1, failed to pay £71,722.93 to 279 workers.

Thursday (UK) Limited, trading as TGI Friday’s, Luton LU1, failed to pay £59,347.64 to 2,302 workers.

National Society For Epilepsy (THE), Chiltern SL9, failed to pay £55,251.37 to 26 workers.

Wright Leisure Limited, trading as Xercise4less, Leeds LS4, failed to pay £54,290.37 to 240 workers.

Picture: The Taxman calls - to collect underpayment minimum wage back pay, income tax, national insurance and up to double that amount in fines

 

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 09 March 2018

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