Working Hours and Pay
Every care worker in the UK has a right to be paid at least the legal minimum wage for all working time, and to have safe limits on weekly hours and enough rest. This includes international workers on Health and Care or Skilled Worker visas.
Your basic rights to minimum pay
In the UK there is a National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW). These are the lowest legal hourly pay rates an employer can give you.
- You must be paid at least the correct hourly rate for your age and type of work.
- You must receive a payslip that shows your hours, gross pay and any deductions (for example tax, pension).
- Your employer cannot make deductions (for example for uniform, training, travel) that push your real pay below the minimum wage, unless very strict rules are followed.
If you are a sponsored international care worker, there are extra minimum salary rules just for you.
- From 9 April 2025, newly sponsored care workers must be paid at least around £12.82 per hour (about £25,000 per year on a 37.5‑hour contract).
- Existing sponsored workers must be paid at least the National Minimum/Living Wage (for example £12.21 per hour from April 2025), and if they extend their visa they must then meet the new sponsored rate.
What counts as “working time” in home care
Many care workers are paid “per visit” or for “contact time only”. This is where problems often happen. For most domiciliary (home) care workers, these things usually count as working time for minimum wage:
- Time providing care in the client’s home.
- Travel time between clients (driving, walking, public transport).
- Time spent on required training or staff meetings.
- Some “sleep‑in” or night‑shift time, depending on your duties and contract.
Breaks when you are completely free and not working (for example a long gap in the middle of the day where you can do what you like) usually do not count.
If travel time between visits is not paid, your real hourly pay may fall below minimum wage. This is illegal.
Maximum hours and rest breaks
UK Working Time Regulations protect you from very long hours. Basic rules for most adult workers:
- Average working week: You should not be forced to work more than an average of 48 hours per week (calculated over 17 weeks) unless you choose to “opt out” in writing.
- Daily rest: You should usually have at least 11 hours off between shifts.
- Weekly rest: You should have at least 24 hours off each week (or 48 hours every two weeks).
- Breaks at work: If you work more than 6 hours in a day, you should usually get at least one uninterrupted rest break.
Your employer cannot punish you for refusing to sign an “opt‑out” from the 48‑hour limit.
Warning signs that your rights may be broken
Warning signs you may be at risk of underpayment or excessive hours:
- You are only paid for the minutes inside the client’s home, not for travelling between clients.
- After adding travel and gaps, your total working time means your pay per hour is less than the legal minimum.
- You work very long weeks (for example 60–70 hours) with very few days off, and feel you cannot say no.
- Your employer takes high “accommodation”, “training” or “visa” deductions from wages and you are left with very little money.
- Your contract or rota is very different from what was promised in your visa application.
If these things are happening, get advice as soon as you can.
Simple steps to check your pay
You do not need perfect English or maths to do this. Use paper, your phone, or a spreadsheet.
1. Track your real working time for one full week
- Write down every shift, visit and travel time between clients.
- Include required meetings, training and handovers.
2. Work out total hours
- Add together all working and travel minutes, then change to hours.
3. Check your payslip for that week
- Look at the “gross pay” (before tax and National Insurance).
4. Calculate your real hourly rate
- Real hourly rate = gross pay ÷ total working hours.
5. Compare to legal minimums
- Check your age‑related National Minimum/Living Wage.
- If you are sponsored, also check the special sponsored rate for care workers.
If your real hourly rate is less than the legal minimum, your employer may be breaking the law.
What you can do if you are not paid correctly
You have options. Try to get advice before making big decisions about leaving your job, especially if you are on a visa.
A. Speak to your employer
- Ask for a private meeting with your manager or HR.
- Bring your records of hours and pay.
- Use simple sentences: “When I include travel time, my hourly pay is less than the minimum wage. Please can we fix this?”
Sometimes employers correct mistakes when they see clear evidence.
B. Get outside advice and support
You do not have to do this alone. Many organisations help care workers to understand and enforce their rights.
- Citizens Advice – Free help with pay, minimum wage, deductions, debt and benefits. (www.citizensadvice.org.uk)
- ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) – Government‑funded advice on pay, working hours and disputes with employers. (Phone: 0300 123 1100; www.acas.org.uk)
- Low Incomes Tax Reform Group – Clear examples of minimum wage problems for care workers and what to do. (www.litrg.org.uk)
- UNISON (and other unions) – Unions can check your pay, help you raise a grievance, and support legal action for underpayment. (www.unison.org.uk)
C. If there may be serious exploitation
If low pay is linked with threats, debt, or control of your passport or visa, this may be labour abuse or modern slavery.
- Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline (Phone: 08000 121 700; www.modernslaveryhelpline.org)
- Unseen UK – Information and support on exploitation in UK care work. (www.unseenuk.org)
- Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) – Enforces labour law and has information for international care workers. (www.gla.gov.uk)
Protecting your visa while you defend your rights
As a sponsored worker, you may worry that complaining will risk your visa. This fear is common, but you still have rights.
- You are allowed to ask for correct wages and safe working hours. This does not break visa rules.
- If your employer loses their sponsor licence or you must leave because of serious problems, there is some government‑backed support in England to help international care workers understand their options and find new sponsors.
- Always get immigration advice before changing jobs or stopping work.
Final thoughts
You came to the UK to work hard and support yourself and your family. You deserve fair pay for every hour you work and enough rest to stay healthy.
If something feels wrong with your pay or hours, trust your feelings and get advice early. Share this information with other international care workers – together, it is easier to understand your rights and insist on fair treatment.
