Castledawson businessman hits out over failure to pay minimum wage claim
Gary McMullan who runs Grove Mechanical Services told the Mail the accusation stems from difficulties around his employment of a second year apprentice in Scotland.
And he said the whole ordeal has put him off ever employing an apprentice again.
“It has totally and utterly put me off, “ he explained.
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Hide AdWhen asked how he felt about the whole situation he said he was “gutted”.
“I am really frustrated,” he added, “I have over 30 men working for me and I have never been late with payments, and paid top rates for all my employees.
“If you ask any of my men, they have never been underpaid - it’s just one individual [that] has caused me so much problems.”
Aside from being “very stressed” about the claims, he said that “financially it has cost me a lot of money” and that he felt like he “was getting harassed by HMRC” following three investigations.
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Hide AdMr McMullan said the employee involved walked off site when he lowered his wage in line with the rate for second year apprentices as he was working more days during summer.
He also said that an employment tribunal case brought by the employee had been thrown out by the courts.