| What are the rights of an employee working in | | | | pact or agreement by both the employer and the |
| UK? | | | | employee. It normally is written and stipulates |
| Employee rights are guidelines which must be | | | | whatever has been agreed upon by both parties |
| made known to any employee. This, however, | | | | verbally. |
| may differ in some aspects depending on the | | | | The content of the contract of employment |
| country where you are working in. Employees' | | | | consists of the following: |
| rights in UK rely on two aspects: a) the legislative | | | | Job title and description. |
| rights and b) the employment contract. Let us | | | | Total number of working hours |
| take a closer look on this subject matter. | | | | Demand for holiday pay. |
| Legislative rights as the term states are founded | | | | Sick pay benefits. |
| on the laws agreed by Parliament. All employees | | | | Pension system |
| have legal rights in spite of the number of hours | | | | Policies for complaints, discharge and |
| they are to work in a week. However, there are | | | | disciplinary procedures |
| also employees who do not have any legal rights. | | | | Notice for termination |
| There are also cases where a worker gets to | | | | There are instances where employers are forced |
| have their legal right after having completed their | | | | to lay off or cut the working days or hours of |
| probationary period. An employee's legislative | | | | employees. This could mean getting no salary if |
| privileges consist of: 1) a contract of employment | | | | laid off and getting less salary for shortened |
| in two months' time since he started, and 2) a | | | | working days or hours. It is important that such |
| detailed compensation slip from day one. Every | | | | be reported to the HM Revenue and Customs to |
| employee is entitled to be paid for every work | | | | qualify for certain benefits like the tax or housing |
| rendered. This refers to getting the approved | | | | benefits. Some employers offer a 'guarantee |
| minimum wage as well as getting paid on holidays. | | | | payment' or you can claim a redundancy payment |
| Deductions that are not mandated by law must | | | | in the event that you were put on shortened |
| not be withheld from the employee's wage. If this | | | | working hours or laid off. Health and safety is also |
| was done, the employee can question this. | | | | an employee's right. Therefore, employers must |
| However, temporary or ad hoc employees are | | | | see to it that they have sufficient means in the |
| only entitled to a few legal rights. The right to get | | | | event that accidents happen like fire, etc. First aid |
| a minimum wage, restrictions on working hours, | | | | treatments must be on hand as well as |
| health and safety rights and the right to get paid | | | | protective clothing. Machinery and other operating |
| on holidays. It is advised that ad hoc or casual | | | | equipment must always be checked for safety. |
| employees, even trainees or self-employed seek | | | | As an employee, it is a MUST that you know |
| the help of the Citizens Advice Bureau to be | | | | your rights to prevent any malpractice committed |
| enlightened with their legal privileges. The | | | | by your employer. |
| aforementioned employment contract is a binding | | | | |