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).

Home workers (usually women) would be paid on piece rates, whilst workers in a factory or workshop could be paid on either time rates or piece rates. Teenage 'learners' were paid lower rates which varied according to age and experience.

Minimum time rates:

For workers whose work is delivered and collected by the middlewoman / middleman:

From 2 Feb 1920: 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 4 Feb 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 14 Oct 1921: 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 26 Jun 1922: 6 ¼ pence an hour = £1 & 5 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £65 a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

For workers who collect and deliver their work to/from the warehouse:

From 4 Feb 1921: 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 14 Oct 1921: 8 pence an hour = £1 & 12 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £83 & 4 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

From 26 Jun 1922: 7 ¼ pence an hour = £1 & 9 shillings for a 48 hour working week, £75 & 8 shillings a year (if a 48 hour week was worked for 52 weeks)

Minimum piece rates:

Minimum rates of wages effective from 2 February 1920Link opens in a new window

This notice includes lists of the minimum piece rates which should be paid for different types of machine-made lace and net finishing. Gross yards was another way of saying 144 yards (a gross was a dozen dozens or 12x12).