In the UK there are laws to protect you at work, to ensure you get the pay that is due to you, that you get your holiday, maternity and sick pay rights, and that you are not unfairly dismissed or made redundant without compensation. These legal rights apply whether you work full or part-time, provided you have worked long enough. If you are employed on a temporary contract you will get the same rights, provided you are employed directly rather than through an agency.

Your contract of employment

If you are employed for over eight hours a week or more, in a position that lasts for more than one month, your employer is obliged by law to issue you with written terms and conditions or a contract of employment.

You may find that your terms and conditions of employment are written in different places, for example in your letter of employment, your job description or a trade union agreement. It is important that you keep any letters or papers given to you by your employer in a safe place.

Your rights and your employer’s rights are also affected by any agreements that a trade union has made with the employer and also by UK law, such as health and safety, pay, race, disability and sex discrimination.

If you intend to carry out work for an employer that is less than eight hours a week and have not been given a contract, you still have rights under UK law.

Wages

All workers in the UK are legally entitled* to be paid the national minimum wage per hour for the work that they do. This table lists the minimum wage for each age group:

*Apprentices under the age of 19 are not entitled to the minimum wage.
**If you are receiving accredited training during the first six months of your new employment, you may
only be paid the development rate.

Note: The minimum wage usually rises every October following recommendations to government from the Low Pay Commission.

Deductions

Employers are legally allowed to make deductions from your wages for Income Tax, Pay as You Earn (PAYE) and National Insurance contributions. Any other deductions made such as contributions to pension schemes have to be agreed with you first.

If you believe you are not receiving the national minimum wage you can contact the DTI National Minimum Wage Helpline on 0845 6000 678.

Joining a union

UK law states that you have the right to choose to join a union when you are 16. If you choose to join a union, they will advise you on your rights at work and will provide assistance if you need to resolve issues you may have with your employer. If you do not know if a union is active in your workplace then ask your colleagues if they are members of a union, what services they provide and who the union representative is. No rep? Then why not take a lead – get active in your workplace.

If you are sick or late

If you are unable to attend work because you are sick or are having personal difficulties you should phone your supervisor or employer and explain your circumstances and provide them with an indication of when you intend to return to work.

Receiving sick pay

Your entitlements to pay whilst absent from work due to sickness should be set out in your contract or terms and conditions. If it is not clear seek clarification from your supervisor or your union representative.

Harassment

It is illegal for an employer or work colleague to discriminate against any worker because of their race, age, gender or disability. If you feel you have been treated unfairly at work you need to record what happened, where it happened and when it happened, then you should report it.

This is just a brief guide to your rights at work, to find out more visit the Unite website .