Do you need someone to help you with a national living wage audit? If so, our experienced solicitors and minimum wage experts are hugely experienced at conducting and advising on national living wage audits for employers. Get in touch with us today on 02920 829 100 for a free initial chat to see how we may be able to help you.
The National Living Wage is the name given to the national minimum wage rates for employees and workers aged 21 and above. They are updated every year on 1 April. For employees and workers aged below 21, they will be entitled to the national minimum wage. Again, the national minimum wage is updated every year on 1 April.
An audit is the only comprehensive way of ensuring compliance with the national minimum wage regulations. NMW Compliance is becoming a very relevant issue for employers with HMRC officers regularly contacting employers to check up on whether they are paying the national minimum wage. It will help an employer enormously if it can inform HMRC compliance officers that it has already undertaken an audit into payment of the national minimum wage. Better still, an audit by an independent third party (e.g. by solicitors who are experienced in matters relating to minimum wage matters) will be even better.
On the face of it, employers paying at the rate of the minimum wage would seem a straightforward issue. However, things get complicated significantly by factors that employers often overlook. For example, deductions for things like uniforms from workers’ wages, unpaid training time, overlooking employee birthdays, the effect of childcare vouchers, missing the annual increase in the minimum wage, using the wrong pay reference period, and the effect of salary sacrifice schemes can all cause unintended non compliance.
Failing to meet your NMW compliance obligations can result in a criminal offence and a maximum penalty of £20,000 per employee or worker. These are intended to deter employers from non compliance. Non compliance can also result in employees or workers bringing Employment Tribunal claims against their employers. The defences for an employer can be extremely limited, so that’s why the whole issue needs careful consideration.
You should check the Government’s website for the very latest national minimum wage rate. To avoid any visits from HMRC compliance officers, ensure that you consider the correct pay periods and apply correct rates to workers pay.
They say that all employers should pay employees and salaried workers at least the national minimum wage.
To speak to one of our solicitors today, contact us on 02920 829 100 or by using our online contact form here.
I have worked with Darwin Gray for a number of years and the level of service, professionalism and timely response is second to none. I would highly recommend Darwin Gray to any business.”
Darwin Gray have provided us with a first-class service for many years now. They really take the time to understand our business and develop relationships which results in advice and support that is contextualised and effective.”
We have worked with Darwin Gray for several years and have always found their services and advice to be first class.”
An extremely professional and sincere company who make time for your queries and understand the need to break down certain facts and information to ensure everything is understood perfectly. I would highly recommend the company to anyone looking for any type of legal advice”
PSS has worked with Darwin Gray for many years. We have always received an excellent service. Prompt and professional advice and support.”
We have used several departments within DG recently and we have been very pleased with an effective, efficient and down to earth service. Very happy thus far and I expect that we will continue to use DG.”
Darwin Gray offer us truly superb services. Very professional, quick and services available bilingually which is very important to us, highly recommend.”
My “go to” in urgent and time sensitive cases for direction, support and advice. The team are quick to respond to calls or emails for advice and support on all matters. Always explain complex matters in a way a lay person can easily understand.”
Darwin Gray have acted for myself and my company over a number of years and at all times we have been treated with a professional manner yet maintain a common-sense approach at all levels. We couldn’t recommend them more highly.”
We have been clients of Darwin Gray for many years; they’ve always dealt with all of our legal matters with such professionalism. They work around us, even during awkward hours, and we feel confident we can always rely on them.”
Darwin Gray has been acting for Siltbuster for more than ten years. We would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray to other organisations small or large.”
From the very first conversation, I had no doubt that Darwin Gray should be the firm to receive our instructions on this matter. I would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray.”
We regularly instruct Darwin Gray. Their service in dealing with our transactional matters and disputes is always professional, prompt and efficient.”
Darwin Gray guided me through a long and extended process that would have been much more difficult had it not been for their patience and constant support.”
Excellent and efficient service. Great result achieved, highly professional and transparent on pricing. Would recommend.”
Superb legal service provided. Exceeded expectations. They went above and beyond in order to provide the best service possible.”
Very professional and understanding. They were a calming influence in a very troubling situation and they brought it to a very successful conclusion”
We have used Darwin Gray and have been seriously impressed. The personal approach is what Darwin Gray are excelling on and is the reason why we will continue to work with them in the future.”
