Minimum Wage – What You Need to Know

• Minimum Wage increases on 1 April 2026 to £13.59 per hour and applies to all employees who have reached the statutory school leaving age (30 June).

  Year 1 trainee rate, start date on or after 1 September 2025  £10.50

  Maximum weekly offset for accommodation only on full minimum wage £152.60

  Maximum weekly offset for accommodation and food on full minimum wage is £203.35

  Trainee rate maximum weekly offset for accommodation only is £117.95

  Trainee rate maximum weekly offset for accommodation and food (trainee rate) is £157.15

   

If an employer provides accommodation or meals, they can count part of that value toward an employee’s wage - but only up to:

• Maximum weekly offset for accommodation only on full minimum wage £152.60

  Maximum weekly offset for accommodation and food on full minimum wage is £203.35

  Trainee rate maximum weekly offset for accommodation only is £117.95

  Trainee rate maximum weekly offset for accommodation and food (trainee rate) is £157.15

  1 April 2026

Important: 

• Food must mean 3 proper meals per day.
• Accommodation must be available midnight to midnight.
• No other benefits (like utility bills) can be used to offset minimum wage.

Employers must keep clear records to prove they are paying at least the minimum wage. These should include:

• Hours worked
• Gross pay
• Overtime or shift premiums
• Deductions for accommodation/food
• Absences (e.g. sick leave, holidays)
• Any training or travel during work hours

Records must be kept for 10 years and can be stored electronically.

Employees must receive a written itemised payslip on or before each payday. If not, they can apply to the Tribunal and may be awarded up to 8 weeks’ pay.

If an employee believes they have been underpaid:

• They can request to inspect and copy their pay records (in writing). 
• If the employer does not respond within 14 days, the employee can lodge a complaint with the Tribunal within 13 weeks.

If the Tribunal agrees:

• An employee may receive up to 80 times the hourly minimum wage in compensation.
• An employee will also be paid the difference between what they received and what they should have been paid.

• Enforcement officers can inspect records and issue notices.
• Employers who do not comply may face penalties and civil claims.
• Employees are protected from any negative treatment for asserting their rights.

Some groups are excluded from minimum wage rules, including:

• Mariners working outside Jersey
• Share fishermen
• Volunteers in charities or statutory bodies
• Prisoners (unless working outside prison under a rehabilitation scheme)
• Residential members of religious communities

The Minimum Wage guidance note has sets out the offsets for accommodation and food and accommodation for non Trainees.

For details about Trainees please see this Guide which has been produced by Employment Social Security and Housing.