Introduction
The UK has strong employment laws to protect workers. Whether you are a full-time employee, part-time worker, or self-employed, you have rights that your employer must follow.
Your Employment Contract
When you start a job, your employer must give you a written statement of employment particulars (often called a contract). This must include:
- Your job title and start date
- Your salary or pay rate
- Working hours
- Notice period (how long before you can leave or be dismissed)
- Holiday entitlement
- Pension details
- Where you will be working
You should receive this on your first day of employment.
The National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage
All workers are entitled to at least the minimum wage. Current rates (April 2026):
- 21 and over (National Living Wage): £12.71 per hour
- 18-20: £10.85 per hour
- Under 18: £8.00 per hour
- Apprentice rate: £8.00 per hour (or the rate for your age if in second year)
Rates usually change every April. Always check the latest rates on GOV.UK.
Working Hours
The Working Time Regulations protect you from working too many hours:
- Maximum average working week: 48 hours (but you can choose to opt out in writing)
- Minimum rest periods: 11 consecutive hours per day, 24 hours per week
- Breaks: 20 minutes if working more than 6 hours
- Night workers: maximum 8 hours per 24-hour period
Holiday
All workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year (28 days for a full-time worker). Your employer decides when you take your holiday, but they cannot refuse all your requests.
Maternity and Paternity Leave
Maternity Leave
- You can take up to 52 weeks of maternity leave
- Up to 39 weeks are paid (Statutory Maternity Pay)
- Pay: 90% of average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then £194.32 per week (or 90% if lower) for the next 33 weeks
- You must tell your employer at least 15 weeks before your due date
Paternity Leave
- Fathers can take up to 2 weeks of paid paternity leave
- Pay: £194.32 per week (or 90% of average earnings if lower)
- Must be taken within 56 days of the birth
Shared Parental Leave
- Parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them
Sick Leave
- If you are off work sick, your employer may pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- SSP is £123.25 per week for up to 28 weeks
- SSP is paid from the first day of sickness absence
- Some employers offer better sick pay through their own policies
Redundancy
Not sure what you’d be entitled to? Use our free redundancy pay calculator to work out your statutory redundancy pay.
If your job is being made redundant, you have rights:
- Minimum notice period (1 week for each year of service, up to 12 weeks)
- Statutory Redundancy Pay: half a week's pay for each year under 22, one week's pay for each year 22-40, one and a half weeks' pay for each year 41+
- Right to time off to look for a new job
- Right to a fair selection process
Discrimination
It is illegal for your employer to treat you unfairly because of:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
Dismissal
Your employer can only dismiss you for a fair reason:
- Conduct (misbehaviour at work)
- Capability (cannot do the job)
- Redundancy
- Statutory restriction (legal reason, like losing a work permit)
- Some other substantial reason
You must have been employed for 2 years to claim unfair dismissal (except for discrimination, which is protected from day one).
Trade Unions
Workers have the right to join a trade union. A trade union represents workers' interests and can:
- Negotiate pay and conditions with employers
- Support workers in disputes
- Provide legal advice
- Organise industrial action (strikes) as a last resort
Where to Get Help
- ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) - free advice and dispute resolution
- GOV.uk - official government guidance on employment rights
- Citizens Advice - free, confidential advice
- Your trade union - if you are a member
Understanding your employment rights helps you work with confidence and ensures you are treated fairly.