EMPLOYMENT LAW
If you’re in employment, whether it be part-time or on a full-time basis, there are a number of rights which your employer (whether they be large or small) are bound by to provide to you in lieu of you working for them. This is known as Employment Law, a set of rights under which employers must build their contracts.
There is much to Employment Law that should be consulted by workers and employers alike, however; as an employee, you are protected in the following ways under this legislation:
Statutory Rights
These are legal rights passed in UK parliament to ensure that the majority of people employed share the same basic treatment and benefits. There are some types of employee, however, that are not bound by statutory rights – these can vary from casual workers, freelancers and agency employees to those who work outside of the UK. If you are concerned as to where you stand on statutory rights, it is always advisable to consult your contract of employment and undertake further research.
Statutory rights entitle you to a range of beneficial terms that your employer is legally bound by. For example, you are entitled to minimum wage, paid holiday (28 days for full-time workers), the right to request for flexible work, paid maternity, paternity and ante natal leave, and perhaps most importantly, the right to written documentation of terms of employment and regular pay slips which itemise your wage. You are also protected under such statutory rights against discrimination, unfair dismissal and the right to whistleblow without reprimand. Employment Law also requests that employees’ health and safety is paramount, and that they are informed ahead of time if any of their activity while working is to be monitored.
Who does Employment Law protect?
UK Employment Law is set in place to primarily protect the rights of those who are in part or full-time employment against potential discrimination, lack of health and safety provision, and to ensure that workers are paid fairly. Employment Law is concerned with the manner in which employees are paid, and holds organisations to account on how and what they pay out, and how they document such information to their staff. For employers, whether they be big or small, Employment Law is a big deal – contracts drawn up for new staff have to be meticulously drawn up to adhere to each point of the legislation, and as it is a lengthy document, it is common for employers to seek consultation on these rights.
Ultimately, as an employee, it is worth bearing in mind your rights and freedoms while at work; as an employer, it is important that you grant workers the freedom that the legislation grants. If you violate Employment Law in any such way, the consequences could be extremely costly for your business.
