Who gets the minimum wage National Minimum Wage

Anyone who is employed as an employee or worker must get the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.

This is whether they are:

  • full time
  • part time
  • doing training essential for the job
  • working in a small or ‘start-up’ business

It also applies to:

  • agency workers
  • agricultural workers
  • apprentices
  • casual labourers, for example someone hired for one day
  • casual workers
  • employees on probation
  • foreign workers
  • home workers
  • offshore workers
  • seafarers
  • workers paid by commission
  • workers paid by the number of items made (piece work)
  • zero-hours workers

The only types of work that are not covered are those who are:

  • self-employed (by choice)
  • a volunteer (by choice)
  • a company director
  • in the armed forces
  • doing work experience as part of a course
  • work shadowing
  • under school leaving age

If you live in your employer's home

You're entitled to the correct minimum wage if you live in your employer's home. This is unless you're a member of their family.

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