Are you receiving the National Minimum Wage?

We would like to remind any students and seasonal staff that work part-time, for example in a summer job to ensure they are being paid the National Minimum Wage (NMW). All workers are legally entitled to be paid the NMW. This includes temporary seasonal staff, who often work short-term contracts in bars, hotels, shops and warehouses over the summer.

HMRC helped some 155,000 people to recover more than £16 million in pay which was due to them. HMRC is reminding workers to check their hourly rate of pay, and to also check any deductions or unpaid working time. The most common causes of minimum wage underpayment are deductions and unpaid working time such as travelling time between work locations and training time.

The current National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) rates came into effect on 1 April 2021. The minimum rate for the NLW is £8.91. The NLW is the minimum hourly rate that must be paid to those aged 23 or over. The hourly rate of the NMW (for 21-22 year olds) is £8.36. The rate for 18-20 year olds is £6.56 and the rate for workers above the school leaving age but under 18 is £4.62.

Employees that are not being paid the NMW can make an official complaint through GOV.UK or contact the ACAS Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0300 123 1100.