In 2024, Staffline Group appeared on the UK government's HMRC "Name and Shame" list for underpayment of the National Minimum Wage. The listing documented underpayments totaling £5,125,270.93 affecting 36,767 workers. This was one of the largest underpayments named in that year's list.
The HMRC Naming Scheme
The UK government operates a "naming and shaming" scheme for employers who breach National Minimum Wage regulations. The scheme publishes the names of employers who have been found to underpay workers, along with the amounts involved and the number of workers affected. The scheme is intended to deter non-compliance and encourage employers to review their pay practices.
The 2024 naming included 524 employers across various sectors. Staffline's underpayment was the largest single amount on that year's list.
The Underpayment
According to the HMRC listing, Staffline's underpayment related to "preparation time" at food production facilities. Workers were required to arrive before their official start time to put on protective clothing and prepare their workstations. This time was not paid, resulting in workers receiving less than the minimum wage for the total time they were required to be at work.
The underpayment occurred between 2013 and 2018. Staffline stated that it had identified the issue through an internal review and had reported it to HMRC. The company stated that affected workers had been repaid.
Corporate Impact
The underpayment had significant financial consequences for Staffline. The company reported total exceptional costs of £15.1 million related to the underpayment issue. The company's share price declined significantly following the announcement.
Staffline's chairman, John Crabtree, stepped down following the announcement. The company implemented changes to its payroll systems and processes to prevent similar issues in the future.
Review Platform Feedback
Staffline holds a 1.2 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot based on over 140 reviews. Common themes in reviews include concerns about pay accuracy and communication. As with all review platforms, these represent self-selected samples and may not be representative of all worker experiences.
