B&Q and Five Guys Among Companies Paying Below Minimum Wage

In the UK, well-known companies like B&Q and Five Guys have been found to be paying their employees less than the minimum wage. The government revealed the names of over 600 employers and stated that these companies need to repay a total of £4 million to the affected employees. Additionally, fines totaling £7 million were imposed on these companies. B&Q admitted to underpaying its employees by more than £456,000, attributing this to calculation errors related to geographical pay. The company stated that all affected employees would receive their full payments by July 2025. On the other hand, Five Guys explained that technical differences in salary regulations led to this situation, and these deficiencies were identified in an inspection conducted by HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs). Other companies on the list include various retail stores, restaurants, nurseries, social service providers, and several NHS trusts. The St George's, Epsom, and St Helier Hospital Group was noted for not paying over £123,000 to 75 employees, claiming this was a technical compliance issue. The government emphasized its commitment to protecting workers' rights, stating that employers should avoid such practices. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said, "We will tackle companies that do not pay their employees correctly." Kate Dearden added, "We will not take on the responsibility for employees' underpayments, and every employer needs to review their payroll systems." This situation is seen as an important step in protecting the minimum wage, and it was reported that support would be provided to employers to fulfill their legal obligations.

Source: BBC Business