Changes to the National Minimum Wage - Solicitors in Exeter, Devon

In April this year, the Employment Act introduced a new system for penalising those employers who fail to pay National Minimum Wage.  Even a genuine mistake could attract an automatic penalty of £5,000. More serious errors could attract an unlimited fine and employers could even face prosecution.

It is therefore essential that you ensure that you are paying your employees correctly.

As of 1 October 2009 the national minimum wage rates will rise to:

22 & over         £5.80 per hour

18-21               £4.83 per hour

16-17               £3.57 per hour

Whilst Apprentices do not qualify for the national minimum wage if they:-

Are aged 18 or under, or;

Are aged 19 or over and are in their first year of their apprenticeship they are entitled to earn an amount of no less that £95 per week.

For more information on this and all other employment issues, contact the Stones Employment Team on 01392 666777.