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.