Workers could be paid using two different minimum wage scales - time rates (i.e. a standard sum per hour) or piece rates (i.e. for the number of items produced). Piece rates were calculated on a set rate for every 100 gross buttons - a gross was 144 items (a dozen dozens or 12x12), so workers would have to finish 14400 buttons to get the standard minimum rate.

Home workers (usually women) would be paid on piece rates, whilst factory workers (men and women) could be paid on either time rates or piece rates.

Time rates varied according to age and experience. The rates reproduced below relate to men over 21 and women over 18. Workers under those ages were subject to lower minimum rates of pay.

 

Minimum time rates:

Skilled male workers (employed in stamping, burnishing, spinning, dipping, staining, sawing, turning or cutting) aged 21 and over:

With not less than 2 years' experience:

From 7 Jul 1920: 1 shilling and 6 pence an hour = £3 & 12 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £187 & 4 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

From 17 Oct 1921, 1 Aug 1922, 7 Jan 1924: 1 shilling & 3 ¾ pence an hour.

With 1-2 years' experience:

From 7 Jul 1920: 1 shilling and 5 pence an hour = £3 & 8 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £176 & 16 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

From 17 Oct 1921, 1 Aug 1922, 7 Jan 1924: 1 shilling & 3 pence an hour = £3 for a 48 hour working week, £156 a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

With less than 1 year's experience:

From 7 Jul 1920: 1 shilling and 4 pence an hour = £3 & 4 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £166 & 8 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

From 17 Oct 1921, 1 Aug 1922, 7 Jan 1924: 1 shilling & 2 pence an hour = £2 16s for a 48 hour working week, £145 & 12 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

Other male workers aged 21 and over:

From 7 Jul 1920: 1 shilling and 3 ½ pence an hour = £3 & 2 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £161 & 4 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

From 17 Oct 1921, 1 Aug 1922, 7 Jan 1924: 1 shilling and 1 ½ pence an hour = £2 & 14 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £140 & 8 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

All female workers aged 18 and over:

From 7 Jul 1920: 8 ½ pence an hour = £1 & 14 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £88 & 8 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

From 17 Oct 1921: 7 ½ pence an hour = £1 & 10 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £78 a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

From 1 Aug 1922: 7 pence an hour = £1 & 8 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £72 & 16 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

From 7 Jan 1924: 6 ½ pence an hour = £1 & 6 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £67 & 12 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

The working week:

The Trade Board assessed the standard working week to be 47-48 hours, with a maximum of 5 hours to be normally worked on Saturdays.

 

Minimum piece rates for female home workers:

For homeworkers whose work is delivered and collected by the employer:

Cards containing not more than 18 buttons per card:

From 14 Aug 1920, 13 Nov 1922: 12 shillings and 6 pence per 100 gross (i.e. for every 14400 buttons).

From 7 Jan 1924: 11 shillings and 9 pence per 100 gross.

Cards containing more than 18 buttons per card:

From 14 Aug 1920, 13 Nov 1922: 10 shillings and 9 pence (covered back) or 10 shillings and 3 pence (open back) per 100 gross.

From 7 Jan 1924: 10 shillings (covered back) or 9 shillings and 9 pence (open back) per 100 gross.

For homeworkers who collect and deliver their work to/from the factory, workshop or warehouse:

Cards containing not more than 18 buttons per card:

From 14 Aug 1920, 13 Nov 1922: 13 shillings and 3 pence per 100 gross.

From 7 Jan 1924: 12 shillings and 6 pence per 100 gross.

Cards containing more than 18 buttons per card:

From 14 Aug 1920, 13 Nov 1922: 11 shillings and 6 pence (covered back) or 11 shillings (open back) per 100 gross.

From 7 Jan 1924: 10 shillings and 9 pence (covered back) or 10 shillings and 3 pence (open back) per 100 gross.

Piece work basis time rate:

The rates listed above were estimated on the basis that "a worker of ordinary skill and experience" could make the following sum per hour:

From 14 Aug 1920, 13 Nov 1922: 8 ½ pence an hour.

From 7 Jan 1924: 7 ¾ pence an hour.