Norwich City says staff uniform error led to minimum wage penalty
(Pinkun)
Norwich City Football Club has said rules relating to who pays for staff uniforms led to it being handed a penalty for illegally underpaying more than a thousand workers.
The club was one of 389 UK employers named by the government for failing to pay the minimum wage.
It received the penalty for underpaying 1,152 workers, owing them more than £99,000 in wages - roughly £85 each.
The club said the penalty related to a legal issue, dating back several years, when its casual and part-time employees paid for parts of their uniforms.
Norwich City previously told staff they had to purchase and wear their own black shoes and trousers as part of their uniforms.
The club said changes relating to uniform and the minimum wage meant it was required to pay for those parts of the uniform.
It now does so, but initially failed to reimburse existing staff for the expense of paying for their clothing.
It meant that those workers were effectively paid below the national minimum wage because they had to pay for their uniform out of their own pocket.
The club said it has since paid all members of staff what they were owed.
It did not reveal the amount it was fined.
Canaries fans have criticised the club on social media following its inclusion on the list.
One wrote: "The way the club is being run is just the gift that keeps on giving this season.
"This is horrendous. These are the kids who work the kiosks, the stewards - the people that make the club run. Absolutely shameful."
Another wrote: "Not a great look when you see what they spent last summer."
In total, 389 UK employers were told to repay more than £7.3 million in wages owed to around 60,000 underpaid workers as part of the government's crackdown on those who fail to pay the minimum wage.
Collectively, they were issued with £12.6 million in penalties.
It comes ahead of further increases to the minimum wage from next month.
The minimum wage for those aged 21 and older will go up to £12.71 – an increase of 50p.
Meanwhile, the rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will increase to £10.85 – up 85p.
Apprentices and 16 to 17-year-olds will earn £8 an hour, rising 45p.
Posted By: DrDublin on March 19th 2026 at 19:34:14
Message Thread
- Norwich City says staff uniform error led to minimum wage penalty (NCFC) - DrDublin, Mar 19, 19:34:14
- So what was the error? (NCFC) - SCC 28, Mar 19, 19:39:48
- Deducting cost of wages which brings it under minimum wage (NCFC) - Tony Martin, Mar 19, 20:18:52
- You said first aid courses and failing probation (NCFC) - SCC 28, Mar 19, 20:38:39
- It’s exactly the same situation (NCFC) - Tony Martin, Mar 19, 20:55:48
- This wasn’t a failed probation (NCFC) - SCC 28, Mar 19, 21:00:20
- 🤦♂️ sorry you don’t understand (n/m) (NCFC) - Tony Martin, Mar 19, 21:13:07
- Yeah failing to reimburse what was owed (NCFC) - SCC 28, Mar 19, 21:17:30
- 🤦♂️ sorry you don’t understand (n/m) (NCFC) - Tony Martin, Mar 19, 21:13:07
- This wasn’t a failed probation (NCFC) - SCC 28, Mar 19, 21:00:20
- It’s exactly the same situation (NCFC) - Tony Martin, Mar 19, 20:55:48
- Off wages* (n/m) (NCFC) - Tony Martin, Mar 19, 20:19:02
- You said first aid courses and failing probation (NCFC) - SCC 28, Mar 19, 20:38:39
- And then the time taken to repay them? (n/m) (NCFC) - DrDublin, Mar 19, 19:44:06
- Seen a couple of comments (NCFC) - SCC 28, Mar 19, 19:45:17
- Regardless of minimum wage law, I find it pretty disgusting that (NCFC) - Legacy Fan, Mar 19, 20:51:10
- Seen a couple of comments (NCFC) - SCC 28, Mar 19, 19:45:17
- Deducting cost of wages which brings it under minimum wage (NCFC) - Tony Martin, Mar 19, 20:18:52
- So what was the error? (NCFC) - SCC 28, Mar 19, 19:39:48
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