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Employment Rights for Workers

Employment status defines workers' rights and responsibilities in the workplace. So, each status of employment will determine the actual employment rights of workers.

Note: It is important to check your employment rights as businesses start reopening and many of the workforce return to work after the COVID-19 pandemic.

WORKERS’ RIGHTS : There are three main types of employment status. They are a worker, an employee, and a self-employed worker.

As a general rule, workers’ rights that apply to a ‘worker‘ would also apply to an ‘employee‘.

Even so, the definitions do have some key differences for the purposes of employment legislation.

Employees form the vast majority of people in the workforce. Working under a contract of employment means you would get classed as an employee.

The law obliges all employers to deduct Income Tax and NIC from salary of their employees. Because of this, the minimum rights of all employees grants them access to:

Note: A minimum term of continuous employment is a requirement for some employment rights of workers.

Any individual who carries out work for an employer is a worker. In most cases, the undertaking will be under a contract of employment. Thus, an individual accepts to perform work or services for a person or a company.

Workers have entitlement to the core employment rights and legal protection. Even so, there are specific groups of people who are more likely to be workers than employees. They include agency workers, freelancers, and short term casual workers.

Guide to the Rights of Workers

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas)
www.acas.org.uk
Telephone: 0300 123 1100
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8am to 8pm
Tuesday and Friday: 8am to 6pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm

Note: Acas offers free and confidential guidance to help resolve most workplace disputes. You can contact them by telephone, text phone, or through their website.

Farm Workers

The section explains agricultural workers’ rights in the United Kingdom. It includes pay rates, holiday leave, overtime, and the agricultural minimum wage.

Monitoring Workers

If staff are being monitored at work by employers it must be legal and fair. Check your rights on the types of monitoring that takes data, images, or requires drug testing.

If a Company Goes Insolvent

Is your employer unable to pay their debts? If so, this help guide explains your rights if your employer is insolvent and how to claim money owed to you.

Working During Pregnancy

Employers must provide the appropriate protection for pregnant workers in United Kingdom. Read more in a guide explaining pregnant employees’ rights in the workplace.

Workplace Discrimination

Preventing Discrimination

Employers need to take appropriate steps to prevent unlawful discrimination in the workplace. Find out how preventing discrimination applies to recruitment and during employment.

Working Beyond Pension Age

The law no longer forces people to give up work at State Pension age. Thus, you can continue working after State Pension age and still get your pension.

Employment Rights of Workers in the United Kingdom