Minimum wage for different types of work

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Paid in other ways (unmeasured work)

If the work is not covered by any of the other types of work, it鈥檚 鈥榰nmeasured work鈥�.

Unmeasured work includes being paid a set amount to do a particular task, for instance being paid 拢500 to lay a patio, regardless of how long it takes.

To work out the minimum wage for unmeasured work, either:

  • record every hour worked and use the National Minimum Wage calculator to make sure the worker gets the minimum wage
  • make a 鈥榙aily average agreement of hours鈥�

Daily average agreement of hours

This is when the employer and worker agree a typical number of hours per day they expect to work on average. One agreement can cover several pay reference periods (for example, weeks if the worker鈥檚 paid weekly) if there鈥檚 no change in the average number of hours.

Daily average agreements of hours must:

  • be agreed in writing
  • be made before the start of the pay reference period they cover
  • say how many hours the work should take each day (on average)

The employer must be able to prove that the number of hours worked on average is realistic.

Example

Louise is paid weekly and is 31. She鈥檚 eligible for the National Living Wage rate of 拢12.21 an hour.

In a particular week she鈥檚 paid 拢200.

Her agreed daily average number of hours is 5.

In that week she worked for 4 days, so she鈥檚 counted as having worked 20 hours that week (4 times 5).

拢200 divided by 20 hours gives a rate of 拢10.00 an hour. That鈥檚 less than the National Living Wage.

  1. Step 1 Check your business is ready to employ staff

  2. Step 2 Recruit someone

    You need to advertise the role and interview candidates. You can use a recruitment agency to do this or do it yourself.

    1. Find out about using a recruitment agency

    As an employer you must make sure you recruit employees fairly.

    1. Avoid discrimination during recruitment
    2. Make your application process accessible for employees with disabilities or health conditions
  3. and Check they have the right to work in the UK

  4. and Find out if they need a DBS check

    You may need to check someone's criminal record, for example, if they'll be working in healthcare or with children.

    1. Find out if you need a DBS check
    2. How to do a DBS check
  5. Step 3 Check if they need to be put into a workplace pension

    Check if you need to put your employee into a workplace pension scheme:

  6. Step 4 Agree a contract and salary

  7. Step 5 Tell HMRC about your new employee