The Truth about The Minimum Wage!!!

[gemspan]

Hi there

I posted on the employment forum about a year ago about not receiving the minimum wage from a company I was working for. I left the company and got another job. I reported the company and it has taken almost a year for the Minimum Wage Compliance Team to get back to me. Here is what they say:

I have been paid less than the minimum wage and the arrears amount to £35.77!!! What? I said. But I worked all these hours for nothing.

Ah but you received commission some months and those months you didnt receive the minimum wage.

My argument is that for 5 days I attended training and wasnt paid for it. I had to attend lots of other "events" and wasnt paid for it. I got paid a certain amount for doing the work which didnt just entail what they said the payment was for. Any commission I earned was taken as part of the wage and therefore didnt count as below the minimum wage.

Therefore, if you are taking a job and get paid £3.25 per hour but get commission on what you sell you will not be earning below the minimum wage - even although your commission isnt guaranteed!!!! On the months you dont receive commission you will be getting less than the minimum wage and can claim up to the £5.52 allowance. However, it will take you a year to get it - and you don't get interest on it.

Also, the company I worked for is not getting fined even although they have broken the law. It is enough that they are paying the employees they underpaid, any arrears (without interest!!!). They are required to keep time sheets but they havent - which is also against the law!!! what a joke!!!

I was also told that as this company employs a lot of people and I have been the only person that complained (even though there were a number of employees found to be earning less than the minimum wage!) then I really didnt have a good argument!!!

I believe some of the rules will be changing in October 2008 but, to date, this is the way it stands.

The Minimum Wage Scandal is right enough. People are still not getting the minimum wage as their basic wage (which is what I was led to believe it meant!). Employees can have their "tips" included in minimum wage calculations too if they are paid through the payroll!!!

Therefore, the employer wins again!! What is the point of having legislation that really doesnt cover the lower paid people in the UK. Its an absolute disgrace.

I asked them if it would be OK for me to the go to the papers when I had my payment by way of bringing the company to account. I was told I could do what I want. What they dont realise is that they will be seen to be useless in policing this legislation if I do.

Should I write to my MP about this scandal or just leave it? I suppose I should be like everybody else and just forget about it!! It just makes me so mad when I see this type of thing going on.

Gemspan

[389shell]

I would certainly write to your MP, then the press.

[Coasters]

And they wonder why so many people refuse to work and sit at home all day.

You wanted a job and the respect of earning but got ripped off, by first the company, then the Government.

Shocking...

Yeah, write to your MP and contact press

[Conniff]

I don't know if commission is included, but the inclusion of tips as wages for waiting staff is to end.

How could tips and commission ever be included into an employees wages, they are a bonus. I know when I give a tip, it is for that person and to say thanks for the service.

[callumsgran]

Originally Posted by Conniff

I don't know if commission is included, but the inclusion of tips as wages for waiting staff is to end.

How could tips and commission ever be included into an employees wages, they are a bonus. I know when I give a tip, it is for that person and to say thanks for the service.

Exactly! i think we all do the same
What a ripoff
Everyone should get the minimum wage and bonuses tips and commission should be on top as its not guaranteed

[gemspan]

I think its an absolute disgrace!!!! The whole thing about the minimum wage is that everybody should be receiving £5.52 at least as a wage!!! THe Oxford Dictionary definition of "wage" is "employee's regular pay". Now, if commission and tips are not guaranteed then how can that be regular?

The Government have again duped us into believing that they have given the electorate something when in fact they havent. Lets face it, the companies that were not giving the minimum wage before the legislation are still able not to pay it by adding a "bonus" into their calculations.

It is disgusting and is definitely something that I will be taking to my MP.

Another thing is the fact that the company in question are not going to be prosecuted. It is against the law. They should be prosecuted or at the very least incur some sort of fine. That is the only deterrent.

I was also made to feel as if I was lying because I was the only one who complained to them!!! But I did complain and they were found not to be paying the minimum wage. I am not the only one who was affected. The others will be getting a pay-out too. Why is everyone so compacent about these sorts of things?

A bit like bank charges!!! I bet there are still lots of people who will continue to let the banks ruin their lives!!!

Sorry, rant over!!! Watch this space!

Gemspan