Four city companies named and shamed for paying employees less than minimum wage

Four Coventry-based companies have been named and shamed for failing to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage.



On a list published by the Government’s department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), 198 companies have been publicly named for collectively owing employees over £466,000 in owed wages.

Among them were four Coventry firms – including the third-worst offender, Regis UK Ltd.

The company based at Lynch Gate House in Cannon Park, owns and operates hair, beauty and retail product salons across the country, and owed £25,712.19 to 604 workers.

Caroline Collins, HR Manager, at Regis UK Ltd, said: “We apologise sincerely for any inconvenience caused to our employees.

“Unfortunately the underpayments were due to a system error when calculating NMW.

“The payroll system has now been reprogrammed and the issue has been resolved.

“We have worked with HMRC to ensure the small percentage of our employees affected have all been paid the amount they are owed.”

Other Coventry-based companies included caterer Suzy Mcs Corporate Catering Ltd, which owed one employee £392; care provider Consummate Care UK Ltd, which owed £201 to one worker; and catering company Plum Buffets Ltd, which owed one employee £156.

All the money owed to the workers of all 198 companies has since been paid back to them.

In line with the current National Minimum Wage, people aged 21-24 are entitled to £6.70 per hour, £5.30 per hour for 18 to 20-year-olds, and £3.87 for 16 to 17-year-olds.

And since the introduction of the National Living Wage in April this year, everyone over the age of 25 is now entitled to £7.20 per hour.

It appears to be widespread in the catering industry?

There are plenty in the catering/hospitality industry paying below the minimum wage, just as there are still plenty paying 'off the books'! - Raise a complaint and your employment ceases very quickly. Since many have no contract of employment, and I suspect many have no right to reside in this country, there is little come-back. The sad thing is that the authorities know the true state of affairs, but refuse to act.