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Check you're paying at least the minimum wage, including the hidden traps
You pay above the rate, you think. But unpaid trial shifts, uniform deductions, time spent opening up or travelling between jobs can pull pay below it. Check it properly with GOV.UK's calculator.
The prompt · ChatGPT
Help me check I'm paying at least the minimum wage. Staff: [for each: age or apprentice, hourly pay or salary, hours] Unpaid time: [e.g. opening up, cashing up, training, travel between jobs] Deductions or costs to staff: [uniform, accommodation, tools] Trial shifts: [paid or unpaid] First ask me up to 4 short questions. Wait for my answers. Then: 1. Look up the current minimum wage rates on GOV.UK and name the page. 2. The common traps that might apply to me, in plain words. 3. How to check each person with GOV.UK's employer minimum wage calculator. 4. A fix list if anything looks short, and what to check on GOV.UK about back pay. 5. A note to recheck each April. Not legal advice. Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent facts or figures. UK English. For current minimum wage rates and the employer calculator on GOV.UK, use web search and name the page you used. If it doesn't search on its own, open View all tools and choose Search. Stay in this ChatGPT chat. Do not turn on apps or connectors, and do not use memory from another chat.
A short example
Fill the blanks, then paste. for each: age or apprentice, hourly pay or salary, hours: a short note you already have. e.g. opening up, cashing up, training, travel between jobs: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.
The prompt · Grok
Help me check I'm paying at least the minimum wage. Staff: [for each: age or apprentice, hourly pay or salary, hours] Unpaid time: [e.g. opening up, cashing up, training, travel between jobs] Deductions or costs to staff: [uniform, accommodation, tools] Trial shifts: [paid or unpaid] First ask me up to 4 short questions. Wait for my answers. Then: 1. Look up the current minimum wage rates on GOV.UK and name the page. 2. The common traps that might apply to me, in plain words. 3. How to check each person with GOV.UK's employer minimum wage calculator. 4. A fix list if anything looks short, and what to check on GOV.UK about back pay. 5. A note to recheck each April. Not legal advice. Only use what I've told you, leave blanks for anything I haven't given, and don't invent facts or figures. UK English. For current minimum wage rates and the employer calculator on GOV.UK, search the web and name the page you used. Stay in this Grok chat. Do not connect an inbox or another app.
A short example
Fill the blanks, then paste. for each: age or apprentice, hourly pay or salary, hours: a short note you already have. e.g. opening up, cashing up, training, travel between jobs: a short note you already have. Leave the rest of the prompt as written.
You describe each role's pay, hours and any deductions.
The assistant asks about unpaid time, uniforms, accommodation and trial shifts.
You get the traps that might apply, a check you can do with GOV.UK's employer calculator, and a fix list.
What happens
Use Grok Bot to check you're paying at least the minimum wage, including the hidden traps
You pay above the rate, you think. But unpaid trial shifts, uniform deductions, time spent opening up or travelling between jobs can pull pay below it. Check it properly with GOV.UK's calculator.
Tools
Paste the prompt, fill the blanks, copy the draft.
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