Paying staff full wage

Crossroads Caring Scotland worst in the country

A charity operating in Clackmannanshire has been `named and shamed’ for failing to pay staff there the minimum wage.

Crossroads Caring Scotland were among more than 350 firms and organisations highlighted by the UK Government for underpaying employees.

The charity was the worst offender north of the border after short-changing staff providing their service in the Wee County by a total of £17,685. 38.

Established in 1978, Crossroads Caring Scotland is one of the country’s leading voluntary sector provider of support for carers and their families.

It provides support services across Scotland, helping people to live independently at home.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the charity was identified.

The spokesman added: “It was the result of an oversight relating to travel time and 40 out of more than 650 staff were affected.

“As soon as the breach was identified, we worked closely with HMRC to ensure that our workers received the full back pay that they were entitled to and also to ensure our compliance with this complex legislation in the future.

“As a result, we have put in place processes to ensure that such a breach cannot occur again. All of our support workers are now paid the Scottish Living Wage of £8.25, which will increase to £8.45 in April.”

The national minimum wage for people over 20 was £6.70 when this breach is said to have occurred in 2015, although it has since risen to £7.50.

Among the 360 employers included in the `name and shame’ list, published this week by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, are hair salons, hotels, care homes and retailers.

They failed to pay either the national minimum wage or the national living wage to more than 15,500 workers, according to the data.

Sixteen Scottish organisations are featured in the list.

They owed 125 workers a total of £29,611.

Among them were Scottish Championship club St Mirren who underpaid a member of staff by £1277, and Peacock Stores, Langholm, the second-worst offender in Scotland, which owed 42 workers £2256.

In total, the firms and organisations identified in the list were forced to pay back almost £1 million and had to cough up penalties totalling £800,000 to HMRC.

Scotland Office Minister Lord Dunlop said: “There are simply no excuses for employers who fail to play by the rules and pay employees what they are entitled to.”