I suspect that a business is paying its employees less than the minimum wage. What action can I take?

Question

I was shopping at a new improved branch of a certain company I used to work for, which I shan't name, for obvious reasons, and I got talking to an old colleague of mine. He claimed that employees his age (20) were getting paid below the minimum wage. As this company pays by length of shift, he told me that he was getting paid £17 for a four-hour shift, which works out at £4.25 an hour. As my mother works in payroll (for a different company) I am pretty sure that the minimum wage for his age group is way above this (at least £5.00 an hour).

Also, this same company has 6am start times, due to deliveries, and one employee, who is under 18, was given a shift starting then, even though I have been informed it is illegal for under 18s to work before 7am. Is there anything that the person in question could do?

P.S: Whilst I appreciate answers from any country, it would be helpful if people from the UK could answer, as I know that there are differences in laws everywhere. Thanx 4 input!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

£4.25 is the minimum wage for his age group it goes up to £5.35 for 22 and older, its rubbish wage but the company is not braking any laws hes paying him the minimum wage for his age.

just had a look the minimum wage for his age has just gone up to £4.45

djshazzi · Answer

i would start by getting some advice on your ex colleagues behalf from the department of works and pensions.
i'm sure the wage has just gone up to 4.45 p/h for under 22's. as for the early start for an under 18.......... i do think that is illegal.
get in touch with the dept of works and pensions. they will be able to tell you the laws on this exactly

ngina · Answer

Most minimum wage employees are represented by union, which means you can go and report to a union official who will guide you on ways of having the employee salary fixed.  Otherwise you can go to the local goverment office concerned

Tamara · Answer

I don't honestly know why you are getting involved and taking this matter into your own hands.

However I would talk to the Trading Standards Agency and they will explain to you the minimum wage expectancy etc, and then if you are really that concerned you can go to the business yourself and put forward your worries.

Phish · Answer

If you don't work for the company in question, why don't you mind your own business? You have heard one side of the story from a hysterical disgruntled employee. I suspect the facts are quite different.

Don't end-up making a numpty of yourself by going on a crusade with half-cocked information

Little One · Answer

Try looking on the ACAS website.  Not sure who else you could go to, though but it's great that you're taking the trouble.  You could try the Department of work and pensions and inland revenue too as these employers are also avoiding paying the correct NI contributions.

IC · Answer

I'm not going to go into the law part of it but I think the best way would be for you to talk to your old colleague and ask him/her to get a few others to send a copy of their payslip to their union along with a letter describing their duties and hours worked.

Some business are allowed to bend the laws because of special circumstances when it comes to the hours.

fresh_mcgraw · Answer

This is a health and safety issue, among others.  Inform your local MP about this and, I guess, the local authorities.

They are breaking the law.

KaTeY!! · Answer

hey...im only 14, but i think that maybe you should first get all the facts on paper and then maybe go to the boss and confront him.  then, if that doesn't work, threaten him with the court, and if that don't work, take it to court...im from South Africa, so maybe it'll be diff.in england, but dats wot i'd do here~!

inkthebrain · Answer

you can take it to the mayor of our county or even your friend could just higher a lawyer and sue them

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I suspect that a business is paying its employees less than the minimum wage. What action can I take?

10 Answers