Financial guru Martin Lewis has said that around 500,000 UK employees who are earning a minimum wage may be being underpaid, and has revealed how those who are due extra money can claim it.
The MoneySavingExpert creator explained that this applies to those who need to buy work supplies such as tools or clothing.
Others may be underpaid as a result of unpaid working time — for example journeying to work early in order to open up the business for the day.
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As reported by the Daily Record, those who are on the minimum wage are due a pay rise every April under law.
This April, the minimum wage for those aged between 22 and 23 rose to £9.18 an hour from £8.36.
People 23 or older — who are due the National Living Wage — have seen their hourly earnings increase to £9.50, while the apprentice rate has also gone up to £4.81 an hour.
Taking to Twitter, Lewis wrote: "Are you on minimum wage? You may be underpaid, 500,000 are! Many who think they are on minimum wage are in reality actually being paid less than they should."
The MoneySavingExpert website has issued an update to its minimum wage guide, including advice on how to determine if you are earning less than you are due.
As an example, if you need to purchase anything to do your job such as tools or a uniform, it is the responsibility of your employer to make sure this does not result in your earnings falling under the legal minimum.
This is true regardless of how the cash is deducted — whether you use your own money in the shop, pay your boss, or have it deducted from your wages.
If you're on the minimum wage, any time spent working should be compensated, including overtime, time spent in training, travelling time and time spent opening up or closing down a workplace.
How to check if you are underpaid
If you believe you may not be earning what you are due, you can make use of the UK Government's national minimum wage and living wage calculator.
Your first step may be to speak with your boss informally in order to try and get the issue resolved, but if this does not work you may need to submit a formal complaint.
You can also bring the issue to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), a government-backed body that steps in with workplace issues.
You can go to Acas by filling in this form or calling 0300 123 1122.
If you would rather avoid that, or you no longer work at the company, you can contact HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) instead.
You can do so by filling in this online form.
However, you will have to tick 'yes' when asked if you're willing to be contacted by the taxman, as otherwise they may not be able to investigate.
If HMRC discovers you were not paid the proper minimum wage, it can order your employer to repay the difference, for the past six years.
It can also fine the employer and take them to court if they do not pay up.
