02/05/2025
The UK Government is considering some significant amendments to building regulations which will impact BWF Members and the wider woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry. A consultation of ...
The current National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates will be rising on October 1st 2013.
The adult rate will increase by 12p from £6.19 to £6.31 an hour
The rate for apprentices* will increase by 3p from £2.65 to £2.68 an hour.
The development rate for 18-20 year olds will increase by 5p from £4.98 to at £5.03 an hour
The rate for 16-17 year olds will increase by 4p from £3.68 to £3.72 an hour
*This covers apprentices who are under 19, or 19 and over and in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Failing to pay employees the relevant minimum wage rate could result in penalties from HMRC or a claim in a tribunal from the worker. Workers are entitled to the minimum wage, even if they have accepted a contract agreeing to be paid at a lower rate.
BWF members are reminded not to get caught out by the wage changes when bringing in apprentices at the beginning of the new school year. In addition to this, when employing someone as an apprentice, they will need to make sure that the contract differentiates between an apprentice and a junior employee, who would have a different set of employment rights and be entitled to minimum wage or over, regardless of how long they have been employed.
A 'traditional' apprentice contract will also bestow upon the employer a duty to train, meaning that they cannot simply use the bulk of the apprentice's time to cover odd tasks within the workshop, unless they are relevant to the type of work that the apprentice is training to do.
