Government survey reveals almost a third of staff never check their payslips
Workers are urged to take simple steps to make sure they receive the Government’s new National Living Wage next month, after research reveals nearly one third of people never check their payslips.
The survey for the Government’s Step Up for Britain campaign finds 32% of the lowest paid employees fail to make this simple check against their earnings.
But workers can take three simple steps to make sure they are eligible and receive the pay increase:
⦁ Visit www.livingwage.gov.uk to check if you are eligible
⦁ Use the website’s online calculator to see how much more you will be paid
⦁ Check your payslip after 1 April; if you don’t receive the extra, speak to your boss or talk to Acas for advice.
When it comes to checking payslips across the UK, those least likely to check were in the North-West and East of England, where 41% of workers failed to do so. Just behind them were those in the West Midlands (40%) and London (37%).
Those most likely to check their payslips were in the North-East, where just 11% never bothered, followed by Wales and the South-West of England (21%), Northern Ireland (24%), Scotland (25%) and Yorkshire and Humber (26%).
The Government’s Step Up For Britain campaign was launched in January to highlight the introduction of the National Living Wage on 1 April. More than one million workers are set to directly benefit from the increase, which sees the current National Minimum Wage rate of £6.70 increase by 50p for those aged 25 and over. Many on a full time wage will see pay packets rise by up to £900 a year.
The advertising campaign features a cast of workers currently earning on or around the current National Minimum Wage.
One of those, social services worker Rena Matthew, from West London, who earns £7 per hour, said workers should check their entitlement.
Rena said:
“It’s important to look into it and see if you are eligible. You could be missing out; the extra money can really help. It will be beneficial for individuals and families.”
So far, more than 580,000 people have visited the Step Up for Britain campaign website to find out what the increase will mean for workers and employers.
The Government’s survey also revealed that 80% of workers were likely to speak to their employers if they don’t get an increase.
Across the UK, the survey showed those most likely to have a conversation lived in the North-East (90%), followed by the East of England (84%) and the South-East (83%).
Those least likely to do so were in London, where 73% would be likely to have a conversation.
In Scotland, 80% would speak with their boss, 77% in Wales and 79% in Northern Ireland.
Stewart Gee, head of information and guidance at Acas, said:
“Eligible workers should check what they are entitled to under these new changes and employers need to ensure that they are ready too.
“We are running a series of training events over the next few months to help organisations prepare for the new wage rates.”
