Salon hits back over pay claim

Reporter: Robbie Gill
Date published: 20 April 2015


A HIGH Crompton hairdresser has hit back over GMB union claims it failed to pay an employee almost £700 in holiday pay.

Rare Hair and Beauty Salon in Trent Road, was named and shamed by the union for owing a worker £671.

But owner Julie Norbury, who runs the business with daughter Beth, claims the firm has made every effort to rectify the problem after receiving poor advice.

She said: “We had a horrendous time and were poorly advised by the apprenticeship scheme. We weren’t aware we had been underpaying and we did everything possible to pay her the money.”

The firm is one of 31 North-West employers named and shamed for failing to pay the national minimum wage to staff and being most likely to underpay holiday pay. HMRC doesn’t have enforcement powers over holiday pay so affected employees might have to take the claim to a tribunal - which could cost more than is owed.

GMB regional secretary Paul McCarthy said: “GMB is calling on the Government to put pressure on these cheapskate employers to do the right thing by the workers they have already short-changed.”

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