Checklist: Main statutory employment rights of workers and employees

Employees and workers have a number of statutory rights and protections, irrespective of the express contract terms. Here is a checklist of the main rights:

Rights covering all workers

• information about pay, notice and holiday entitlement;

• National Minimum Wage (payable to almost all workers);

• protection against unlawful pay deductions;

• equal pay;

• working hours and breaks;

• holidays;

• right not to be refused work because of union membership;

• right to be accompanied at a disciplinary/grievance hearing;

• protection against discrimination on all unlawful grounds;

• protection against detriment for whistleblowing;

• protection against detriment and right not to be refused work because of a blacklist.

Rights covering employees only

• written statement of particulars;

• statutory minimum notice;

• protection from unfair dismissal;

• implied contract terms (such as mutual trust and confidence);

• time off for union duties and training;

• time off for union activities;

• time off for safety reps;

• time off for public duties;

• time off for antenatal care;

• statutory maternity pay and leave;

• statutory paternity pay and leave;

• statutory adoption pay and leave;

• parental and dependency leave;

• right to request flexible working;

• right to request time off for study or training;

• protection in business transfers (TUPE);

• redundancy pay and rights;

• guarantee pay on layoffs;

• medical suspension pay.