Main employment rights
The box below sets out the main employment rights applying to workers and employees.
Rights covering all workers
• Information about pay, notice and holiday entitlement;
• National Minimum Wage (payable to almost all workers — see Chapter 4);
• 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; and
• 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; and
• Medical suspension pay.
Agency workers also have specific statutory rights.