Centrica, Euro Garages and Holland & Barrett amongst list of employers underpaying their staff

Almost 500 employers who failed to pay the minimum wage have been named today as the Government takes direct action to ‘Make Work Pay’. Around 42,000 workers have been repaid by their employers, including well-known high street brands, with employers receiving fines totalling £10.2 million for breaking the rules.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said:

Every worker deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, and this government will not tolerate rogue employers who short-change their staff.

I know that no employer wants to end up on one of these lists. But our Plan to Make Work Pay cracks down on those not playing by the rules.

This ensures a level playing field where all businesses pay what they owe whilst workers receive the boost to their living standards they deserve.

Employment Rights Minister Kate Dearden said:

This government is taking direct action to ensure workers get every penny they’ve earned, and to put an end to bad businesses undercutting good ones.

We are proud to have delivered a strong minimum wage and enforcing it thoroughly is crucial in our mission to put pounds back in your pocket.

I know this news will be welcomed by brilliant businesses across the country, those who know that happy well-paid staff are at the heart of building a successful company.

With our new Fair Work Agency and the coming Employment Rights Bill, this government is keeping our promise to Britain to make work pay again.”

Today’s announcement follows increases to National Minimum Wage rates earlier this year.

Baroness Philippa Stroud, Low Pay Commission Chair, said:

We are pleased the Government is keeping up momentum with the publication of today’s naming round.

It is vital that businesses understand the mistakes which can lead to underpayment, and that workers know where to go to enforce their rights.

Continuing to raise the profile of the NMW enforcement system will give the Fair Work Agency a solid foundation when it comes into operation next year.

Niall Mackenzie, Acas Chief Executive, said:

Not only is it important for employers to pay the correct minimum wage rates, it is also the law.

Failing to do so can result in grievances and potentially legal action, including costly employment tribunals, as well as being named and shamed.

Acas has advice on how employers can ensure they calculate the correct rate to pay their workers and what employees should do if they think they are not being paid the correct amount.

Paul Nowak, the TUC general secretary, said there was “no excuse for workers being cheated out of money they’re owed. It’s bad for workers, families and the economy.”

British Gas’s parent company Centrica, Euro Garages and Holland & Barrett are among the latest companies named and shamed for underpaying staff. You can access the full list here.