Dental surgery named and shamed for underpaying
Political Correspondent A DENTAL practice and a city centre cafe bar have been “named and shamed” by the UK Government in the latest list of firms not paying the correct minimum wage.
The dental firm owed two workers more than £8000 in total over a two-year period. The café underpaid four staff by over £400 in total over a month.
Citi Dental Surgery, in Paisley Road West, said it was a mistake over not realising they should have been paying two teenage staff a higher rate.
As soon as it was brought to their attention they said the back-dated money was paid.
The Saramago Café Bar part of the CCA in Sauchiehall Street said it was an error in counting the hours worked by staff.
Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs produced the list of firms across the UK who had failed to pay the minimum wage to some staff, which showed 179 employers underpayed 9200 workers by £1.1million.
There were 15 firms in Scotland on the lasts “name and shame list”.
Khadija Javaid, of City Dental Surgery, said it was an error due to age differences and they continued to pay the training wage after two staff turned 18.
She said: “We paid the apprentice wage when they were on training. It has been dealt with. When we found out we needed to give them more money we did.
“They were our first apprentice employees.”
At the time of the wrong payments, trainees and apprentices minimum wage was £3.30 an hour, while the 18-20 year old rate was £5.30.
The owner of Saramago said he was “mortified” by the mistake.
Paul Smith, co-owner of Saramago, said: “It was an administrative error in our pay roll over hours worked by staff.
“One person was due £3.75, another £15, a third £3.50 and one worker was due £399.
“As a result we have had a review of our payroll system to minimise the potential for error.
“I am mortified about this and view it as deeply unfortunate.”
When asked if the staff stayed working for Saramago, Mr Smith said two were still employed, one just recently left and another left to study abroad.
UK Government Minister for Scotland, Lord Duncan said: “It is simply unacceptable for bosses to rip off their staff by not paying at least minimum wage rates. These 15 Scottish employers are breaking the law.
“These fines show just how seriously the UK Government takes this matter. Bosses who think that they can get away with short changing their hard working staff be warned – the UK Government will name and shame you and hit you in the pocket.”
Bryan Sanderson, chairman of the Low Pay Commission, said: “As the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates rise on 1 April, it is vital that workers understand their rights, and employers their obligations.
“The Low Pay Commission is pleased to see the UK Government maintaining the momentum of its minimum wage enforcement.”