Well Done Windows – No Minimum Wage Cheats This Time
The latest round of naming & shaming minimum wage cheats saw hundreds of big and small employers handed penalties for illegally underpaying workers.
One joinery firm is on the list but this time around, there were no mainstream window businesses caught out.
19 March saw 389 employers from across the UK were publicly called out for failing to pay workers the minimum wage, totalling tens of thousands of workers.
The process was orchestrated by the Department for Business and Trade, HM Revenue & Customs, and the Fair Work Agency, supported by Kate Dearden MP and The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP.
The 389 rogue employers have been told to repay over £7.3 million in wages owed to workers to aid the cost of living for some of the lowest earners and they’ll have to make up tax and NI payments along with their fines.
There were some well-known brands who now have to face the consequences as a group, they will face £12.6 million in penalties.
The rules apply
Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: “The vast majority of businesses in this country do the right thing by paying their staff properly and playing by the rules. It’s not fair on them when others are able to get ahead by not paying the wages their workers are owed.
“A good employer doesn’t build their business on the back of unpaid wages.
“I look forward to working with the new Fair Work Agency to ensure its powers are used to crack down on those who think the rules don’t apply to them.”
This is the first ‘naming round’ since the Chancellor’s Budget commitment to publish more frequently. This puts more pressure on employers to keep their payroll up to date and boosts workers’ confidence that when they’re treated poorly by their boss, swift justice will follow.
Don’t get caught out
Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said: “Nobody should finish a week’s work and find they’ve been paid less than they’ve earned. I believe in a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. That’s why we’re cracking down on employers who underpay. We’re making sure workers get the hard earned pay they deserve.
“I encourage every employer to check their payroll to ensure they don’t get caught out.”
Fair Work Agency
This is the final naming round before the Fair Work Agency begins its work on 7 April, a brand-new enforcement body formed through the recently passed Employment Rights Act to bring workers’ rights enforcement under one roof for the first time.
Offering a single, streamlined place where employers will be able to get guidance on how to follow the rules, the Fair Work Agency will have more muscle to ensure that workers across the country get every penny they are owed.
This not only includes enforcing payment of the minimum wage but is soon set to tackle those who break the law by denying holiday and sick pay.
What workers can do
If workers suspect they are being underpaid, they can visit gov.uk/checkyourpay to find out more about what they can do.
Workers visit the Acas website for free, impartial and confidential advice or complain to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) at Pay and work rights helpline and complaints.
The minimum wage law applies to all parts of the UK.
Picture: ISS Facility Services is a minimum wage cheat as is ISS Mediclean – the two firms cheated the most people, owed the most money and will face the highest fines. The company slogan is People Make Places.
