Low-wage workers ‘confused’ by rules

LOW-paid workers are confused about what they should be paid and the types of deductions employers can take from their pay packets, a poll found.

Almost 70 per cent of people earning less than £15,000 a year did not know they should be paid for travel time between appointments, while around half were unaware that tips cannot be used to top up pay to the legal minimum.

More than half had no idea money taken from their wages to pay for uniforms was against the law if it took their earnings below the minimum wage or national living wage (NLW).

The study of 1,400 workers was carried out ahead of the launch of a national advertising campaign by the Government to help make sure low-paid workers are aware of their rights.

Increases to the minimum wage and NLW come into effect from April 1 and workers are being encouraged to check their pay, speak to bosses about the rate rise and report any underpayment to Acas, the workplace advice service.

Business minister Margot James said: “This campaign will raise awareness among the lowest paid people in society about what they must legally receive.”