National minimum wage - record-keeping, calculating arrears and enforcement

Introduction

You are required by law to keep sufficient records that prove you are paying your workers at least the national minimum wage (NMW). These records must be kept for a minimum of three years, although you are advised to keep them longer.

This guide outlines what kind of records must be kept, how the NMW is enforced and what penalties exist for employers found to be under-paying their workers. It also contains contact information for enquiries and complaints relating to the NMW.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Record-keeping - who needs to keep records and why
• Record-keeping - what records must be kept and for how long?
• National minimum wage enforcement - how the national minimum wage is enforced
• National minimum wage enforcement - inspections, underpayments and penalties
• National minimum wage enforcement - employment tribunal claims
• National minimum wage enquiries
• Calculating national minimum wage arrears from 6 April 2009

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