I'm a care worker and I'm not paid properly
Travel time between home-care visits counts as working time for minimum wage. Sponsored overseas workers have extra protection from being charged fees.
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Your rights
- At least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for all working time, including travel between visits.
- Paid holiday of 5.6 weeks a year (pro rata for part-time workers).
- Payslips showing how your pay was worked out.
- If you're on a sponsored visa, your employer can't pass on its own sponsorship costs to you.
- Protection from exploitation and forced labour.
What to do next
- Keep a record of your visits, travel times and hours.
- Raise it with your employer in writing.
- Contact Acas (0300 123 1100) for free advice. You can complain to HMRC about minimum wage, anonymously if you need to.
- If you're being exploited, call the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700.
Say this
“I believe my travel time between visits hasn't been paid, which may take my pay below the minimum wage. Please review my pay.”
The law behind it (England)
- National Minimum Wage Regulations 2015working time and travel time
- Working Time Regulations 1998holiday and rest breaks
Elsewhere in the UK
- Scotland
- Minimum wage law is UK-wide. Adult social care staff in Scotland must also be paid at least the Real Living Wage.
- Wales
- Minimum wage law is UK-wide. Registered care workers in Wales are paid at least the Real Living Wage.
- Northern Ireland
- Minimum wage law is UK-wide.
Easy Read
What you need to know
- Travel time between visits counts as work time.
- You must get at least the minimum wage for all your work time.
- If you have a sponsored visa, your boss cannot make you pay their visa costs.
What you can do
- Write down your visits and travel times.
- Call Acas for free advice: 0300 123 1100.
Last reviewed: November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. How we check our information.