Title edited by MNHQ at request of OP - Advice pls on labour exploitation law (a minor not being paid at work).

[Hedgehogscanclimbtrees]

This summer after GSCEs my son made a CV and went round our town's local cafes and restaurants asking for work. He was 16 at the time (17 now) and most places said no, he was too young. One place took him on, £5 per hour, mostly kitchen help, washing dishes, helping wherever help is needed, some waiting on tables. He has loved doing this, and he likes the boss ("he's like a friend") and the other members of staff. He has been putting in the hours at weekends and holidays, sometimes doing 10 hour shifts! To be clear this is something he has wanted to do and it helps his self-esteem. We have also kept an eye that his schoolwork does not suffer.
However I have found out that the boss is not paying his staff because of cashflow problems! Apparently payday was always "oh next week" etc. then it came out that the owner is opening another restaurant, so didn't have the cash to pay his (young) staff! My son has been paid some, but we added up his hours and he is owed over £1,000! My husband and I are tempted to go to the restaurant to (politely) tell the owner that he cannot withold our son's earnings but son (understandably) doesn't want us to wade in on his behalf. However he is in a vulnerable position, having been working cash in hand. And being so young (he has tried asking for his wages and keeps getting fobbed off). We told him to say that he cannot continue to work if he is not being paid but now they have simply removed him from the Whatsap group where the rotas were sent out. He went in today to ask why he'd been removed and it seems several people have been removed, apparently because the owner is trying to catch up on his debts to everyone by not rota-ing them... I asked who is serving then and my son didn't know, but he did reveal that Sundays have apparently been busy because sometimes it was just my son and the owner who was juggling cooking and front of house!
I have to say I think any business owner who does not pay his staff is probably going under. What recourse does my son have? Are there laws to protect people like him (and the other young people who have also not been paid)?
I would love to hear from any employment lawyers on here, or re 'Modern Slavery' laws!

I would like to ask MN to let that stand in case anyone reports it.

I really don’t need your ‘tips’ I have staff for that. But thanks for ignoring the original post about a poor boy being ripped off just to try and educate me.

Having four eateries hasn't taught you what you need to know about liability though has it. I repeat - your accountant isn't the one who will go grey in chokey when HMRC find out you reckon 17 year olds don't need to go through the books.

It's a common error, but one which can cost the business owner dear. Farming out your books to an accountant doesn't farm out the liability.

Loving your attempt at condescension btw.
Here's another tip. You need a bit more noblesse oblige, & a little less ignorance of taxation practice to really bring it off.

Would love to know where your eateries are - Torquay area, by any chance?

Oh dear you really need to get a life. Do you live on your own on benefits as you seem to have nothing else to do. Bye bye

I really don’t need your ‘tips’ I have staff for that.
Maybe sack them if they are advising you that teen workers don't need to be PAYE. The taxman won't be impressed when you tell him "but my staff said!" or "but I have an accountant!"

But thanks for ignoring the original post about a poor boy being ripped off just to try and educate me.
Er, until you distracted me with your odd interpretations of PAYE law & baseless racist speculations about who is perpetrating modern slavery, I made several posts about the boy. One of them highlighting the fact that he is being ripped off - what a coincidence!
Nice try at deflection, but I can't see where you've given OP any accurate advice about her "poor boy", so don't come it with the faux concern.

‘Torquay’ darling I don’t think so. Are you trying to show off your ‘ intelligence’ this is mums et hun not mastermind. Now run along and try to find me on other posts. You must be very lonely.

Imagine how quiet MN would be if people just said "yeah soz, I did get that wrong" and that was it instead of trying to be passive aggressive and ending up looking like dummies.
At leats this is entertainment.

I still don't know what's considered "western born" here because definition if westerns seem to vary by person/publication/medium.

Logic isn't your strong suit either is it?
As you are posting a rude reply or attempted goad every time I respond to you, surely YOU must be living alone on benefits? No?

And not so much as a thank you for my orginal kindly intentioned advice. Sniff.

"hun"
Snicker. 😁

Modern day slavery is happening as we speak. Not just to foreigners but also home grown.
Small claims court is what you need. Shame judge Judy isn't here. Good luck.

Yes Judge Judy would be good!