HMRC warning for thousands of workers underpaid over Christmas – how to check if you’re owed cash
HMRC has issued an urgent warning to thousands of Christmas workers who risk being paid the wrong amount.
The Government department is reminding seasonal staff on short-term contracts to check they are being paid the correct hourly rate.
These workers should at least be on the National Minimum or National Living Wage, depending on their age.
But in 2022-23, HMRC found 108,000 UK part-time workers had been underpaid for Christmas jobs, amounting to £13.7million.
This can happen if staff aren’t paid for carrying out certain tasks, or are deducted salary for things like uniform or tools.
It is now reminding seasonal staff to check their hourly rate of pay on any payslips to ensure they have received the correct amount.
This includes making sure you are paid for spending time opening and closing a shop, training, picking up extra shifts or working longer hours.
If you have had money taken off your pay to cover the cost of uniform or tools, you should make sure this hasn’t dragged you below the right hourly pay rate too.
Marc Gill, from HMRC, said: “We want to make sure that all workers, including seasonal staff and students, are being paid what they are due this festive period, which is why we are reminding everyone to check their pay.
“People should check their hourly rate and look out for any deductions or unpaid working time.
“It could take them below the minimum wage.
“HMRC looks into every minimum wage complaint, so if you think you are being short – changed you should get in touch.”
The current National Minimum Wage hourly rates are:
- £10.42 – Age 23 and over (National Living Wage)
- £10.18 – Age 21 to 22
- £7.49 – Age 18 to 20
- £5.28 – Age under 18
- £5.28 – Apprentice
If after checking your payslip you have not received the correct salary based on the above rates, you should contact HMRC.
You can report any underpayments via www.gov.uk/minimum-wage-complaint – it takes around 10 minutes.
You can report any underpayments after you’ve finished working with an employer.
You can also call the Acas Pay and Work Rights helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free advice or to raise a concern about pay.
The phone line is open Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm.
Workers in Northern Ireland should contact the Labour Relations Agency on 03300 555 300.
Employers concerned about paying their staff the correct salary can contact Acas Pay for help.
In other news, we revealed the highest paying Christmas temp jobs with salaries of up to £15.36 an hour.
Plus, the highest paying retail festive roles – and you can earn up to £25 an hour.