Three businesses in and near Newbury have been fined for not paying the minimum wage.
They are Adam & Eve Hair in Tilehurst, which failed to pay £3,601.13 to one worker; CSS Recycling Ltd in Newbury, which failed to pay £3,531.10 to four workers; and Wheelgame Limited in Basingstoke, which failed to pay £1,091.57 to one worker.
Across the South East, employers were hit with £1.9m in penalties after underpaying staff by £1.1m. Of those, 78 employers have been named and around 6,300 workers were found to be owed money.
Todays naming round is the latest step in the Government's drive to publish naming lists more regularly so bosses are held to account. It is the first naming round since the Fair Work Agency was set up in April.
The new enforcement body, formed through the Employment Rights Act, brings workers' rights enforcement under one roof and covers breaches including denying holiday and sick pay.
Minister for the Future of Work Kate Dearden said: "Underpaying your staff is illegal, and we will not let workers foot the bill for their boss failing to follow the rules. We're making sure workers get the hard-earned pay they deserve, and where employers fall short, they will be held to account. Every employer should check their payroll now and reach out to Acas if they need further support."
Matthew Taylor, chair of the Fair Work Agency Advisory Board, said: "This naming round is an important reminder that paying the minimum wage is not optional - it is the law. Most employers want to do the right thing, and we will support them to comply, but those who fall short should expect robust enforcement to protect workers and maintain a fair playing field for responsible businesses."
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
