Martin Lewis tells Brits to 'check what you're owed' with 365,000 workers underpaid
Hundreds of thousands of Brits are being underpaid, with Martin Lewis on hand to tell you exactly what you need to do to check you're getting the right amount of cash.
The Money Saving Expert (MSE) founder and his team revealed the staggering number in their latest newsletter sent out this week (24 April).
Following on from a £19 billion waring to millions of Brits and ways to avoid the latest Spotify price hike, Lewis has issued a 'check what you're owed' warning asking his readers to 'spread the word'.
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Lewis wrote: "Even M&S, WHSmith and employment agencies get it wrong."
With the minimum wage being upped at the beginning of April, you might not know the exact amount you're now owed after taxes have been deducted alongside other bits like student loan repayments.
But now is the time to check.
Lewis says: "At the start of this month, UK minimum wage rates were increased - forcing employers to boost incomes for the lowest-paid workers.
"Yet the Low Pay Commission says 365,000 are being underpaid - paid LESS than they legally should be.
"So if you're on or just above minimum wage, I want to tool you up to detect if you may be being short-changed and, if you are, how to be paid what you're legally entitled to."
As of 1 April, apprentices and under-18s should be paid at least £6.40 an hour. It's £8.60 an hour for those aged 18 to 20 and £11.44 an hour if you're 21 or older.
That applies to every worker even if you don't get paid an hourly wage. Your average must work out to at least the number above that applies to you.
Lewis has issued seven ways to check if you're not being underpaid.
Uniform, tools and safety clothing
"If you must buy them, the cost shouldn't take what you get below the equivalent minimum wage over your pay period (eg, monthly, if paid monthly)," Lewis wrote.
"This is the most common failing."
Being paid for all your working time
We're talking any time you're using to do jobs for your employer.
That could be overtime, handovers, and time spent opening up before the shop you work in opens to the public.
The MSE founder says: "So, if you get less than minimum wage once these are factored in, you're owed."
Overtime and tips red flag
Lewis explains that your employer can't top up your wages with extra hours or tips you've had from customers. All of that must come on top of being paid at least the minimum hourly wage.
Commission-based role
This might catch some out.
Even if your job is wholly commission based or largely so, your employer has a legal duty to top up your salary if you are below the minimum hourly rate come the end of your pay run.
The cost of living quarters
Some employers will put up their staff in accommodation as part of a role and as a result, cut your pay.
Well, if this is the case for you, your pay can only be reduced to a maximum of £69.93 a week.
The accommodation must include standard charges for living in a property including rent, furniture, laundry, gas and electricity.
Apprenticeships
If you're over 18 but on an apprenticeship that has little to no structure or training, you could be entitled to more than the lower £6.40 an hour rate.
Get checking
Lewis explains that you need to take control of this somewhat and make sure you notice your wages going up when you turn 18 and then again at 21.
If it doesn't, mention it to someone as your employer has a legal duty to do this.
Lewis' MSE team says: "The national minimum wage ISN'T optional. Regardless of what your contract says, your employer has to pay you the right amount – otherwise they're breaking the law."
Topics: Jobs, Martin Lewis, Money, UK News, Cost of Living
Tom Earnshaw