Minimum Wage complaint was a waste of time.

[Weird Al Yankovic]

It really was pathetic.

I made a complaint about a previous employer to the Compliance Unit which is based in Newcastle and then it was transferred to a Local Compliance Officer in my area.

However, inbetween this happening, I retracted my compliant because I was/am going to an ET about other issues and I decided the MW would be best decided here.

Unfortunately, the Newcastle office failed to tell me that I had to write in to retract the complaint but I wasn't told this on the telephone.

The complaint therefore went ahead with my believing it had been stopped.

It transpires that my employers had been able to show time sheets and other documents to the Compliance Officer that showed I had worked less hours than I actually had so therefore my hourly rate increased.

Under disclosure of my ET claim of withholding wages some of these documents were given to me and they are clearly fabricated, none are signed by me when there is provision to do so yet the Compliance Officer accepted these to clear my former employer.

I asked the Compliance Officer for copies of all the documents but she refused! Despite it being a complaint raised by me and involving me.

Therefore, the employer had forwarning that a visit will take place, fabricated documents and has got away with it.

Useless.

[BankFodder]

Why don't you make a freedom of information act request for the documents.

[Weird Al Yankovic]

Thanks, I may do that.
I don't know if this is an isolated incident but my experience was awful.

I hope others have better luck.

[gemspan]

Hi there

I am currently taking an ex employer through the minimum wage compliance people. I gave all my details and they havent got back to me. I last heard from them in October and will be calling them up at the beginning of the year to see where they stand.

There is no way that this ex employer could fabricate time sheets etc., but I have to say I think it is bad that they are given prior warning to a visit!!! This employer has given me a reference but only stating the dates I worked and nothing at all about the standard of my work, which was excellent!!!! I left because I couldnt afford to work for them. Some months my expenses were more than my wages. They added insult to injury by taking basic rate tax off me - even athough I supplied them with a P46. I am now having to go down the route of getting that sorted out by HM Revenue & Customs. What a mess!!!!

Gemspan

[loulou11]

Hi
Just to let you know my hubby's employer was found guilty of not producing the records to comply with the minimum wage regulations.

The only thing was they did not produce anything, so all they were ordered to pay was 80 times the minimum wage.

Saved themselves a fortune as no proof they had or had not paid the correct amount. No timesheets etc.

Just punished for not keeping records, not actually punished for not paying the minimum wage!

Good Luck

[make them aktiv runners]

Originally Posted by gemspan

They added insult to injury by taking basic rate tax off me - even athough I supplied them with a P46. I am now having to go down the route of getting that sorted out by HM Revenue & Customs. What a mess!!!!

Gemspan

A P46 is merely a statement of employment and request for the tax office to issue a code. Until the tax code is received the employer can deduct basic rate tax.