Investigations into pay practices and enforcement action by the HMRC for failure to pay the national minimum wage have seen a sharp rise in recent years.
The minimum wage legislation is hugely complex, making it easy for employers to unintentionally fall foul of the rules and find themselves guilty of purely technical breaches. For example, employee saving schemes and clothing allowances designed to benefit workers have been found to breach the legislation.
An employer found to have breached the national minimum wage legislation, even inadvertently, may face not only back payments but also substantial penalties and public 'naming and shaming', which could have significant reputational consequences.
Taking steps to identify and correct any errors before HMRC intervenes will protect an employer from penalties and any reputational fallout.
Through our National Minimum Wage Audit we can:
- Review your pay structures, policies and procedures
- Identify areas of risk
- Advise on ways to reduce risk
- Provide support in implementing any required changes
- Develop a strategy to avoid future instances of accidental underpayment
For more information on our National Minimum Wage audits, please contact Åsa Waring.