233 employers to pay back £2 million to underpaid workers
233 employers have been ordered to pay back almost £2 million to 13,000 of the UK’s lowest paid workers, as part of the Government’s scheme to name and shame employers who fail to pay the National Minimum Wage and Living Wage.
A list that identifies these employers has been published by The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. As well as paying back the money owed, employers on the list have also been fined £1.9 million by the Government.
The sectors that featured frequently on the list included:
• Hair and Beauty: approximately 60 employers, in arrears of £121,000 for circa 200 workers
• Hospitality: approximately 50 employers, in arrears of £77,000 for circa 220 workers
• Retail: approximately 20 employers, in arrears of £1.5m for circa 12,200 workers
Employers in this round fell short by failing to pay workers overtime hours, deducting money from wages to pay for uniforms and wrongfully paying apprentice rates to workers.
Business Minister Margot James said:
“It is against the law to pay workers less than legal minimum wage rates, short-changing ordinary working people and undercutting honest employers. Today’s naming round identifies a record £2 million of back pay for workers and sends the clear message to employers that the government will come down hard on those who break the law.”
This is the 12th round of Government naming and shaming with so far £6 million recovered for 40,000 workers with 1,200 employers being fined £4 million. Employers need to be aware of the National Minimum and National Wage and Apprentice rates. Employers who fail to comply with these rates could face substantial fines and risk their business being named and shamed. To view the current rates click here.
To view the full list click here.
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