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Browse frequently asked questions and answers on key HR issues. Navigate by topic or key word search. View latest additions or suggest a question to the XpertHR editorial team.
Is an employer at liberty to determine its own levels of pay? Who is eligible for the national minimum wage? What is the current rate for the national minimum wage? How should employers calculate the amount payable under the national minimum wage? How old must a worker be to qualify for the main rate of the national minimum wage? Can benefits in kind count towards the national minimum wage? Is it permissible for a salary sacrifice arrangement to reduce an employee's pay to below the level of the national minimum wage? Does an employer need to provide evidence that it is meeting the requirements of the national minimum wage? Where sales people are employed on a commission-only basis, is their employer obliged to pay the national minimum wage if their commission over a period falls below this? Are employers required to pay apprentices the national minimum wage? Are interns entitled to the national minimum wage? Can an intern waive his or her right to be paid the national minimum wage? Are students undertaking work experience entitled to the national minimum wage? Are employers required to pay school children on work experience the national minimum wage? What rate of the national minimum wage is payable when 1 October 2012 falls within a worker's pay reference period?
For pay reference periods starting on or after 1 October 2012, the main rate of the national minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over rose to £6.19, the development rate for workers aged 18 to 20 remained at £4.98, the young workers' rate for workers under 18 who are no longer of compulsory school age remained at £3.68 and the apprenticeship rate rose to £2.65.
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