A Christchurch construction company has been ordered to pay a $2000 fine, as well as pay its workers what they're owed.

The Employment Relations Authority has cracked the whip on Verney Construction, after an MBIE investigation found it failed to keep accurate employment records and didn't pay its workers the minimum wage.

MBIE's Stuart Lumsden says it's a disappointing trend and one that's being seen nationally.

He says employers think they're getting around it by treating their employees and contractors, so they don't have to keep records.