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- As a homeworker you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) unless you are running your own business. The full rate is £4.85 and £5.05 per hour from October 2005, and to £5.35 in October 2006. The 2006 increase is subject to confirmation by the Commission in February 2006, to check that the economic conditions continue to make it appropriate. For those aged 18-21 inclusive it is £4.10 per hour and £4.25 in October 2005 and £4.45 in October 2006. However, The lower rate rate can also apply to workers aged 22 and above during their first 6 months in a new job with a new employer and who are receiving accredited training.
- Fair Piece Rates - From October 2004, the Government is proposing that employers will have to pay their workers the minimum wage for every hour they work or a fair piece rate initially set at 100% of the minimum wage. The rate will increase to 120% of the minimum wage in April 2005 at which point most homeworkers will receive the minimum wage. Click for PDF guidelines of how this is worked out
- Unless you are running your own business you are not self-employed. If your employer says that you are self-employed s/he will have to prove this.
- Your employer can average your pay over a period of not more than one month. If you normally get paid more than this (e.g. weekly), your pay cannot be averaged over longer than your normal pay period.
- Your employer must keep records, including records of how much you have been paid. If you have reason to believe that you haven't been paid enough, you have the right to see these records and take copies of them. You can take someone with you to do this, but you must give your employer notice in writing first. You must keep a record of all the hours that you work and give a copy to your employer each week or month, depending upon how often you get paid.
- The law says you cannot be sacked or made to suffer in any other way because you enforce your right to the National Minimum Wage.
- You should get further help and advice if you are not sure whether you are entitled to the National Minimum Wage or if you do not understand, or want more details.
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