NMW to increase again next year to £12.21 ph.

[ZoeZee]

If you’ve not had a pay rise this year, despite bringing it up to your employer, and now there’s set to be another 6% NMW increase next year (which is fantastic, don’t get me wrong) the pay gap is narrowing ever more between skilled/unskilled employees.

Skilled and those with MANY years of experience, might as ditch their responsible/stressful jobs (which often keep you awake at night) and look for something that doesn’t have the added responsibility?

Almost 20 years experience means nothing to some employers! AIBU?

Any employers who have a view on this increase, please let me know how this might affect you and your staff.

Some employers will not be able to pay this if they have a lot of staff at this salary point. ( I work with many employers and have heard this being discussed). Some people may end up being paid off.

Not even paid off, if less than 2 years service just let go.

I agree with raising minimum wage but I also agree with what you’re saying.

as a qualified member of staff in public service I was earning X and a trainer came in at 1k less than me. I left. It was soul destroying.

If I was doing my training now I probably wouldn’t bother tbh.

Once I take my travel costs into consideration I might as well go wash pots in my local pub! End of the day, my job will be done and I can go home stress free!

I think we can expect to see more do it yourself in retail,

What do you mean by this? I’ve not heard this turn of phrase?

We're a small private nursery. We will have to close I think. Funding just won't cover the increase and we can't get enough income in our area from private hours to support a pay rise no matter how much staff deserve it.

You're absolutely right.

I think it refers to self service tills, now catching on in clothes stores as well s supermarkets.

I find this a really depressing attitude. By all means fight for better pay, but to begrudge a NMW increase because you think you’re better is awful. Care workers with 20 years experience might be on NMW.

If you have so much responsibility that you’re kept up at night worrying about it, I’d be very surprised to hear you’re on less than c. £20p/h equivalent. That’s still a big gap from NMW.

I have a high stress job. I’m paid accordingly (probs around £40 p/h). I’ve had NMW jobs, many years ago. They were awful. Still plenty of stress, but next to no autonomy, and treated like crap by employers and customers alike.

Yes but will you be satisfied washing pots in a pub? Isn't work more than just a paycheque? Rather than resent those on NMW getting a rise, which with inflation taken into account isn't much, those in your position need to advocate for better wages. Not simple I realise.

It’s a huge jump. I do agree that NMW needs to rise but this is going to really really hurt small employers and also those manual workers with experience.

Please don’t add fiction to your post! Please READ what I stated in my OP! Where did I state that I resented those on NMW getting an increase? I stated the opposite in fact.

Even with the gap closing, the NMW just pushes up employers wages bill which is then passed on to the the consumer so it’s a vicious circle.

NMW is also supplemented by Universal Credit

I can't understand why they've done this. This is going to have a huge effect on nurseries who are already struggling and parents paying the fees who are already struggling

The concern is being offered fewer hours than you used to get. Plus everything just rises in price anyway.

If you can’t afford to pay your staff £12ph, you shouldn’t have a business.

Agreed

NMW jobs often still have stress and responsibilities and keep you awake at night, but then you've also got the fact you're trying to live on NMW

High stress does not equal high pay. I'm a SEN TA and my job is incredibly stressful. I early about 16k a year.

Really? Private companies making a ridiculous profit then yes, but as PP said, this effects nurseries, schools, care homes etc.

Another who has not read my opening post!

Where do I begrudge NMW because I think ‘I’m better’ - don’t make things up!

My Employer is the one I have a grievance with!

Agreed. 100%

It's time people realised the true cost of business. People deserve to be paid properly for working in poorly paid jobs, with anti social hours and physically hard jobs eg caring.

I'm also assuming that employers will pick this up while the govt reduces it's benefits burden....