Two companies from St Albans named in a list of firms fined for not paying minimum wage have said their actions were a matter of miscommunication, not malice.
According to figures from the Department for Business, cleaning company Stef and Stan Limited failed to pay £1,900.59 to two workers between February 8, 2016 and May 1, 2016.
While Blaxills Fitted Furniture Limited failed to pay £472.46 to one worker between March 31 2015 and June 30 2015.
Blaxills said this was because they thought they had taken on an apprentice who was still at college and had overpaid him the apprentice wage, but he later turned out to be a worker as he had already finished college.
Stef and Stan said it had paid the two workers but could not find evidence of proof. The company added it pays their employees, most of whom are self-employed, between £8 and £8.50 per hour.
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