THE typical employee of a small firm earns between £10,000 and £15,000 a year, works 38 39 hours a week and has 20 days annual leave, according to a new survey.

The survey, which was carried out by the Small Firms Association found that average pay rates varied from £178.88 a week for an unskilled worker to £279.27 a week (craft charge hand) in companies employing 50 employees or less.

It also found that overtime was paid at the rate of double time on Sundays and public holidays while time and a half was most common from Monday to Friday.