Enforcing the minimum wage

The minimum wage can be enforced by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) compliance officers or by a worker making a claim in an employment tribunal or court.

You must pay people who do work for you at least the minimum wage if they are a 鈥榳orker鈥� for minimum wage purposes and a specific exemption does not apply to them (see Determining the status of a worker). If you discover that you have paid workers below the minimum wage, you must pay them any arrears, as explained under Calculating minimum wage arrears.

The minimum wage can be enforced by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) compliance officers or by a worker making a claim in an employment tribunal or court.

A worker can also take their direct action independently of HMRC for example to an employment tribunal. If they choose to do this, HMRC will no longer be able to investigate or take any further action on their behalf.