Rights at work – understanding your rights as an employee

Home » News & Blog » Rights at work – understanding your rights as an employee

Understanding your rights as an employee is crucial to ensuring fair treatment, job security and a positive working environment. UK employment law provides a robust framework to protect workers, covering everything from wages and working hours to discrimination and dismissal.

Whether you’re starting a new job, or have been employed for years, knowing your rights can empower you to advocate for yourself and address any issues that may arise. Below are some of the key rights every employee in the UK is entitled to by law.

Your contract – the right to a written statement of employment

One of the most fundamental rights for employees in the UK is the right to a written statement of employment. This document, often referred to as a contract of employment, must be provided to you within two months of starting your job. It should include key details such as:

• Your job title and responsibilities
• Your salary and payment frequency
• Usual working hours and holiday entitlement
• Notice periods for termination
• Sick leave and sick pay policies
• Pension arrangements

This document serves as a legal agreement between you and your employer, ensuring clarity and transparency about your role and terms of employment.

The right to the National Minimum Wage

All workers in the UK are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW) if they are aged 21 or over. The rates are updated annually, and it is illegal for employers to pay less than the statutory minimum.

From April 2025, the NLW will be £12.21 per hour for those aged 21 and over, with lower rates for younger workers (£10.00 for 18-20, £7.55 under 18) and apprentices (£7.55). If you believe you are being underpaid, you can raise the issue with your employer or report it to HMRC.

Paid time off – your right to paid holiday

Under the Working Time Regulations 1998, employees in the UK are entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks (28 days) of paid holiday per year. This includes public holidays, though employers can choose to offer additional days.

Part-time workers are entitled to a pro-rata amount based on their hours. Your employer cannot force you to work on your holiday days or refuse to pay you for them.

Taking a break – your right to rest breaks

The Working Time Regulations 1998 also guarantees employees the right to rest breaks. If you work more than six hours a day, you are entitled to a 20-minute uninterrupted break. Additionally, you have the right to at least 11 hours of rest between working days.

For every 7 working days, you have the right to a 24 hour rest, or 48 hours rest for every 14 days continuous work.

These provisions are designed to protect your health and well-being, ensuring you are not overworked.

Health and safety – your right to a safe working environment

Your employer has a legal duty to provide a safe and healthy working environment under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This includes:

• Conducting risk assessments
• Providing necessary training and protective equipment
• Ensuring machinery and equipment are safe to use
• Addressing any hazards or concerns raised by employees

If you feel your workplace is unsafe, you have the right to raise the issue with your employer or report it to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Anti-discrimination – your right to be treated equally at work

The Equality Act 2010 protects employees from discrimination based on nine protected characteristics:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

Discrimination can take many forms, including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimisation. For example, being passed on for a promotion due to your sexual orientation would be a form of direct discrimination.

If you experience discrimination at work, you can file a grievance with your employer or take legal action through an employment tribunal.

Time off for family – your right to Statutory Maternity, Paternity, and Parental Leave

Employees in the UK are entitled to various types of leave to support their family life after the birth of their child, or after adoption. These rights are subject to the how long the employee has been employed for.

These include:

• Maternity Leave: Up to 52 weeks of leave, with the first 39 weeks paid.
• Paternity Leave: Up to two weeks of paid leave for fathers or partners.
• Shared Parental Leave: Parents can share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay.
• Parental Leave: Unpaid leave of up to 18 weeks per child for parents of children under 18.

These rights ensure that employees can balance their work and family responsibilities without fear of losing their job.

Your right to protection against unfair dismissal

After two years of continuous employment, you gain the right to protection against unfair dismissal. This means your employer cannot dismiss you without a valid reason, such as misconduct, poor performance or redundancy. If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed, you can challenge the decision through an employment tribunal.

A modern way of working – your right to flexible working

From day one of your employment, you have the right to request flexible working arrangements, such as part time hours, remote work or adjusted start and finish times.

While your employer is not obligated to grant the request, they must consider it fairly in a timely manner and provide a valid reason if they refuse.

Your right to join a trade union

Employees in the UK have the right to join a trade union and participate in union activities. Trade unions can provide support in negotiating better pay and conditions, resolving disputes and representing you in disciplinary or grievance procedures.

Your employer cannot penalise you for being a union member or for participating in lawful industrial action.

If your employment rights are violated – what to do

If you believe your rights at work are being violated, there are several steps you can take:

• Raise the issue: Speak to your manager or HR department to resolve the matter informally.
• File a grievance: Use your employer’s formal grievance procedure to escalate the issue.
• Seek legal advice: Contact solicitors that specialise in employment law, like Bowcock & Pursaill, or get free advice from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
• Take legal action: If necessary, you can take your case to an employment tribunal.

If you ever feel unsure about your employment rights or need legal support, don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly employment law experts.