Guernsey's Minimum Wage - Welcome Changes Or A Business Detriment?!

Employment News October 2011

The Minimum Wage (Guernsey) Law, 2009 only came into force on 1^st October 2010. Now, exactly 12 months later the States have already made changes and upped the minimum wage hourly rates. As from the 1^st of this month employers inGuernsey are now required to make sure employees are paid the following "new rates":

• Workers19 years or older - £6.15per hour (adult minimum wage)
• Workers16 - 18 years - £4.36per hour (young persons' minimum wage)

The Law applies to all employees in Guernsey including casual and seasonal workers with the exception of apprentices under 19 years of age, share fishermen, prisoners and volunteers. Most workers in Guernsey are therefore legally entitled to be paid at least the minimum wage and those employers who have failed to increase their employees pay in line with the new rates are breaking the Law. If an employer is found in breach the consequences are severe - compensation may be awarded to