While the vast majority of employers pay their employees at least the National Minimum Wage, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has published some of the excuses it has received from those who don’t.

Last year (2020 to 2021) HMRC helped more than 155,000 workers recover more than £16million that they had not received because they were paid less than the minimum wage. It also imposed more than £14million of penalties on employers who did not pay the minimum wage.

These are some of the excuses given by employers for flouting the law:

• “She does not deserve the National Minimum Wage because she only makes the teas and sweeps the floors.”
• “The employee was not a good worker, so I did not think they deserved to be paid the National Minimum Wage.”
• “My accountant and I speak a different language – he does not understand me, and that is why he does not pay my workers the correct wages.”
• “My employee is still learning so they are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage.”
• “It is part of UK culture not to pay young workers for the first three months as they have to prove their ‘worth’ first.”
• “The National Minimum Wage does not apply to my business.”
• “I have got an agreement with my workers that I will not pay them the National Minimum Wage; they understand, and they even signed a contract to this effect.”
• “I thought it was okay to pay young workers below the National Minimum Wage as they are not British and therefore do not have the right to be paid it.”
• “My workers like to think of themselves as being self-employed and the National Minimum Wage does not apply to people who work for themselves.”
• “My workers are often just on standby when there are no customers in the shop; I only pay them for when they are actually serving someone.”

Steve Timewell, the Individuals & Small Business Compliance Director at HMRC, says: “The majority of UK employers pay their workers at least the National Minimum Wage, but this list shows some of the excuses provided to our enforcement officers by less scrupulous businesses.

“Being underpaid is no joke for workers, so we always apply the law and take action. Workers cannot be asked or told to sign-away their rights.

"We are making sure that workers are being paid what they are entitled to and, as the economy re-opens, reminding employers of the rules and the help that is available to them.

“HMRC reviews every complaint made about the minimum wage, so if you think you are being short-changed, or are a business that is unsure of the rules or needs help to get things right, get in touch and we will help you.

“But any employer deliberately or unapologetically underpaying their staff will face hefty fines and other enforcement action.”

The National Minimum Wage hourly rates are currently:

• £8.91 - Age 23 or over (National Living Wage)
• £8.36 - Age 21 to 22
• £6.56 - Age 18 to 20
• £4.62 - Age under 18
• £4.30 - Apprentice.

HMRC is reminding workers to check the hourly rate of pay they are actually getting, and also to check any deductions or unpaid working time, as part of the Government’s commitment to build back fairer from the pandemic.

Anyone not being paid what they are entitled to can complain online here. 

If you want to speak to someone in confidence, you should phone the ACAS Pay & Work Rights Helpline on 0300 123 1100.

Employers can also contact the ACAS Helpline for free help and advice, or visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/calculating-the-minimum-wage to find out more.