Monsoon Accessorize being the largest name on the list of 115 companies took the number one slot, failing to pay £104,508 to 1,438 workers.
With the National Minimum Wage having increased to £6.70 to workers aged 21 and over on 1 October, the firms wages dipped below the minimum due to business policies that were put into place, providing staff with discounted fashion items to be worn whilst at work. The discounted costs were then deducted from their wages, taking them below National Minimum Wage.
This shortfall came to light whilst tax authorities looked into their payroll system. The firm have confirmed that it has taken prompt action to rectify this shortfall, with basic wages increasing to prevent this issue arising again.
ePayMe CEO, Andrew Johnston said: ‘We see this all too often from both agency and end client exploitation. As much as we do our utmost to ensure workers are paid above the set NMW, we do lose a substantial chunk of business as we will NOT allow or process any salaries below NMW or incorporate any form of direct expense driven salary sacrifice scheme. I solute HM Revenue & Customs for addressing these blatent explotations against lower paid workers’
TUC (Trade Union) showed it’s support for the ‘Name & Shame’ list,
“Today’s list of offenders is only the tip of the iceberg…A large firm with thousands of employees has no excuse for not having proper systems in place to ensure staff get their legal wage.” – Frances O’Grady TUC General Secretary.
Other companies named and shamed included:
- Tyne & Wear Riding for the Disabled Association – £27,152 to 6 workers
- Project Security UK Ltd – £23,857 to 18 workers
- Carl Keith Salons Ltd – £20,535 to 5 workers
- Cornwall Glass & Glazing Ltd – £14,254 to 9 workers
Nick Bole Business Minister commented – “Employers that fail to pay the minimum wage hurt the living standards of the lowest paid and their families.”
With National Living Wage being introduced next April, it has been confirmed that tough actions will be taken to ensure that workers aged 25 years and over will receive a minimum of £7.20 per hour, rising to £9 by 2020.