What: 200 UK companies have been publicly denounced by the government for failing to pay minimum wage.

Why is this important: We live in world of transparency where every mistake, even unintentional, can provoke great brand damage.

Marks and Spencer, WHSmith, and Argos are among 202 companies in the UK named by the government for failing to pay the minimum wage to 63,000 workers, amounting to GBP 5 million in underpayments.

The offenses, which occurred between 2017 and 2019, led to £7 million in financial penalties. WHSmith was the biggest offender, underpaying over 17,000 staff by more than GBP 1 million.

The government emphasized that paying the legal minimum wage is non-negotiable and that companies must face consequences for non-compliance. Several companies, including Marks and Spencer, WHSmith, and Lloyds Pharmacy, claimed the underpayments were unintentional and have been rectified.

UK Retailers named and shamed for not paying minimum wages