Workplace experts Acas have warned employers to be prepared for the new National Minimum Wage rates that will come into force on 1st October 2013.
Last year there were 500 employment tribunal claims concerning the national minimum wage and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) also identified 736 employers who had failed to pay the wage.
The new minimum wage rates for workers will be:
- £6.31 for people aged 21 years and over
- £5.03 for people aged 18 to 20 years old
- £3.72 for people aged 16 to 17 years old
- £2.68 for apprentices under 19
- £2.68 for apprentices 19 or over who are in the first year of apprenticeship.
Acas Chair Ed Sweeney said:
"Employers have a legal duty to pay the national minimum wage or they risk getting prosecuted if they refuse to pay it.
"Most employers should be aware of the changes taking place from 1 October but the earlier you seek advice about any concerns you have about employee wages then the more likely you are to be able to avoid the cost, stress and time involved in an employment tribunal."
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