April will see an increase in both the National Minimum Wage and the National Living Wage.
Digital staffing platform Coople have put together tips for businesses to bear in mind, to help them ensure they are compliant with the new legislation.
The change from 1 April
Currently, the National Living Wage is £10.42 for those 23 and over, and the National Minimum Wage is £10.18 for those aged 21 to 22. 18 to 20 year olds are entitled to £7.49 per hour.
From April onwards, everyone over the age of 21 will be entitled to the new National Living Wage of £11.44, and 18 to 20 year olds will receive the new National Minimum Wage of £8.60.
However, at Coople, all the temporary staff on their platform are paid the National Living Wage regardless of age.
The dangers of non-compliance: Businesses that were found to be paying less than National Minimum Wage have been fined over £7 million over the last ten years. However, reputational damage is just as much of a risk, as these businesses have been exposed and criticised in the national press.
When to pay extra: Coople advised that competitive wages are a successful way to attract more applicants to your job roles, especially if you are advertising a job that needs to be filled quickly.
