Employer underpaying staff

boandelvis

hello - my son works for a small business - as Ive mentioned on a previous thread, the owner is happy to sack people at the drop of a hat for very little, if any, reason.
A few weeks ago, he sacked one of the lads and hasnt replaced him, leaving the others very over worked. Last week, he took issue with something my son had said and issued him with a 'we might have to let you go' statement. By that afternoon, it was the turn of the other two lads who were summoned to the boss and instantly sacked... however it was soon realised that this left the busness with ONE member of the delivery team so they were hastily given their jobs back.

So today my son and the two other lads have been looking at their wage slips and realised they have been underpaid - this has been over a period of time yet to be established. My son has worked there since June/July 2016, the other two since about October 2016.
Obviously they wouldnt expect to get paid for their 'one hour lunch break and two fifteen minute breaks' - (they never ever get time to stop at lunch as its too busy to stop work so it makes sense to grab a sandwich and a drink en route to the next job.)
But even taking this into account, looking at the wage slips they are being underpaid by an hour each day - only paid for seven hours a day.
They do work more hours than this if a job needs finishing or a delievry is a long distance away but the 'official' hours are eight a day not including lunchbreaks.

So my question is
1 - given that the employer is difficult to approach, are there any external agencies such as acas he could be reported to
2 -he has openly stated that the staff wont be getting the increase to new minimum wage as the business cant afford it - without approaching him is there anything the staff can do? No one has a contract to state whether they are hourly paid or salaried.

Personally I would love to drop this horrible little person in the s**t but the lads he has working for him all have families - they have no choice but to put up with it him.

Any advice appreciated.

Guest101

Either small claims court - or if paid below the minimum it's HMRC.

boandelvis

Thanks - I am just thinking , could he get round this by saying the lads are salaried rather than hourly paid?

Guest101

boandelvis wrote: »

Thanks - I am just thinking , could he get round this by saying the lads are salaried rather than hourly paid?

No. (lets be fair if that was possible, everyone would be doing it)

TBagpuss

it may be easier for them to wait until the yget their first payslips showing that they have not been paid at the new rate, then report.
Meanwhile, look for a new job.

gettingtheresometime

Its bosses like this that make you hope that the boys all resign en masse (please tell me they're looking for other work?) or set up a business in competition

boandelvis

yes they are all looking for other jobs - if you have the time, read through my other post (cant do anything about this but comments apprciated) - he really is a despicable person.

If I had the money i would set up shop right over the road from him!