WHSmith, M&S and Argos amongst shops ‘named and shamed’ for failing to pay workers minimal wage

WHSmith, M&S and Argos are among the many retailers ‘named and shamed’ by the federal government for breaking the legislation on the minimal wage.

A complete of virtually £5million was excellent to round 63,000 workers following a sequence of investigations by HMRC from 2017.

Companies which have fallen foul of the legislation have been ordered to repay what they owed, in addition to being fined round £7million in whole.

WHSmith was revealed to be the worst offender – failing to pay round £1million to 17,607 staff, in accordance with HMRC figures.

The excessive avenue retailer blamed this on a “genuine error” associated to firm uniform coverage in 2019. A spokesperson mentioned this was rectified instantly with all workers reimbursed.

They added: “Following a review with HMRC in 2019, and in common with a number of retailers, it was brought to our attention that we had misinterpreted how the statutory wage regulations were applied to our uniform policy for staff working in our stores.”

Lloyds Pharmacy additionally didn’t pay greater than £900,000 to virtually 8,000 employers, HMRC discovered.

The firm has been contacted for remark.

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It has additionally been reported Marks and Spencer denied greater than £578,000 in wages to five,363 workers.

Bosses mentioned this was solely due to an “unintentional technical issue” from 4 years in the past.

“This happened simply because temporary colleagues were not paid within the strict time periods specified in the national minimum wage regulations and was remedied as soon as we became aware of the issue,” a spokesman mentioned.

“Our minimum hourly pay has never been below the national minimum wage, it is currently above it and no colleagues were ever underpaid because of this.”

Meanwhile Argos, which is now owned by Sainsbury’s, was discovered to owe greater than £480,000 to 10,000 workers.

The grocery store insisted the legislation breach was attributable to a “payroll error” recognized in 2018 which “affected some Argos store colleagues and drivers and dated back to 2012, before Sainsbury’s acquisition of Argos”, a spokesperson mentioned.

“We launched an immediate investigation, working alongside HMRC, and put this right at the time.

“Since then we now have accomplished the combination of Argos onto Sainsbury’s techniques which can stop this from occurring once more.”

The minimum wage is ‘non-negotiable’, retailers warned

Minister for enterprise, markets and small business, Kevin Hollinrake, warned that paying the minimum wage was “non-negotiable”.

“Most companies do the proper factor and take care of their workers, however we’re sending a transparent message to the minority who ignore the legislation: pay your workers correctly otherwise you’ll face the results.”

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Bryan Sanderson, chairman of the Low Pay Commission – an independent body that advises the government about the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage – said naming and shaming firms regularly would be a “useful gizmo” to lift consciousness of underpayment and assist to guard staff incomes the minimal wage.

Earlier this 12 months, the National Minimum Wage elevated to £10.42 for individuals aged 23 and over – with solely France, New Zealand and South Korea providing staff greater pay.

Average earnings, excluding bonuses, hit a file excessive of seven.2% within the 12 months to April.

Although the determine is under the speed of inflation, it represents an enchancment for family spending energy.

However, a report printed in the identical month warned the UK has a ‘lengthy technique to go’ on job requirements.

Last August, the final secretary of the TUC union, Frances O’Grady, known as for the minimal wage to be raised to £15 an hour to offer staff a “decent standard of living”.