Moray businesses Baxters Food Group, Robertson Facilities Management and McDonald and Munro named for failing to pay minimum wage after HMRC investigations
The UK Government has named three Moray businesses among those to have failed to pay some of their staff the minimum wage.
Over 500 businesses from across the UK were named by the government following HMRC probes between 2015 and 2022 which revealed failures from a wide range of firms.
Every business listed has since paid back what they owe to staff members, plus penalties of up to 200 per cent of the amount they underpaid.
Fochabers-based business Baxters, renowned for its extensive line of soups among other food items, failed to pay £19,765 to 62 members of staff.
A spokesperson for the business said: “Baxters Food Group has always met its obligations to pay its employees at least the minimum wage.
“The fine from HMRC relates to an oversight in the structure of an historical Christmas savings scheme we had set up in good faith to help our employees.
“As the money was paid into the scheme directly from their pay before it reached their bank accounts, HMRC determined that we had retained funds from our employees.
“All employees who contributed to the scheme received their savings in full and compensation following the decision by HMRC.
“The scheme has not been in operation since 2019.”
The list revealed that Elgin-based business Robertson Facilities Management, part of the Robertson Group, failed to pay £5864.37 to 51 employees.
A spokesperson for Robertson Facilities Management said: “During an audit conducted by HMRC in 2021, it was brought to our attention that two of our contracts were requesting that some employees attend work five minutes before the start of shift.
“The request was made so that employees were able to attend a hand-over due to the nature of the contract, or to be dressed appropriately for catering duties.
“HMRC advised that those 5 minutes should have been time paid.
“This was immediately addressed and the 51 employees involved were compensated for their time over the period (approx. £114.00 per person).
“These were isolated incidents, and additional training was put in place at the locations around legislation in relation to working requirements and minimum wage.
“Robertson Facilities Management subsequently pays all employees above the National Minimum Wage.”
Elgin-based electrical engineering firm McDonald & Munro was also named.
It failed to pay £6436.10 to two workers.
The firm has been approached for comment.
