BUSINESSES in Warwick and Leamington have been named and shamed for not paying staff the minimum wage.
Government have released a list featuring nearly 350 businesses which have paid staff less than the required £5.55 for those aged 18 to 20, and £7.20 for over 25s.
It includes Leamington-based Carewatch, which provides homecare to people across south Warwickshire. The company failed to pay nearly £400 to four workers.
And the Midcounties Co-operative Limited in Warwick did not pay a member of staff nearly £150.
Excuses used for short-changing workers included docking wages to pay for Christmas parties, and making staff pay for their own uniforms.
The companies will now have to pay employees what is owed.
Business minister Margot James said: “Every worker in the UK is entitled to at least the national minimum or living wage and this government will ensure they get it.
“That is why we have named and shamed more than 350 employers who failed to pay the legal minimum, sending the clear message to employers that minimum wage abuses will not go unpunished.”
The biggest ever list of offenders, which is released annually by government, shows more than 15,000 workers have been underpaid by around £1million.
