Council underpaid staff at Outdoor Centre

Edinburgh Council’s Governance committee meets today and will hear from the Corporate Director for Customer and Corporate Services, Dr Deborah Smart, that employees at Benmore Outdoor Centre did not receive the national minimum wage.

An audit conducted by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) concluded that arrangements for volunteers had become confused. The council did not comply with the national minimum wage requirements as some volunteers were deemed to be workers. HMRC agreed it was not a deliberate breach, but a formal Notice of Underpayment was issued.The employer had 28 days to pay the arrears along with a penalty and the council confirmed that the payment was made within 14 days so avoiding a fine. Nonetheless the finding will be m

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