Geoffrey Caesar, Solicitor

Employees are people who have an employment contract with an employer. This means they have agreed to work for the employer in return for pay and benefits. Employees have the most extensive rights under employment law (compared to workers and the self-employed), which include:

• The right to a written statement of terms and conditions of employment: This document sets out the main details of the employment relationship, such as the job title, duties, hours, pay, holidays, notice period, etc. Employees can receive this statement within two months of starting work.
• The right to a minimum wage and equal pay: This is the legal minimum amount that employees must be paid for their work, regardless of age, gender or other characteristics. The minimum wage rates are updated yearly and depend on the employee’s age. Equal pay means that employees must be paid the same as someone doing the same or similar work unless there is a valid reason for the difference.
• The right to paid holidays, sick leave and maternity/paternity leave: This is how long employees can take off work with pay for various reasons. Employees have the right to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year (pro rata for part-time workers). They also have the right to statutory sick pay if they cannot work due to illness or injury and to statutory maternity/paternity pay if they are expecting or adopting a child.
• The right to join a trade union and participate in industrial action: This is the freedom to associate with other workers and form or join a trade union representing their interests. Trade unions can negotiate with employers on behalf of their members on issues such as pay, working conditions, health and safety, etc. Employees also have the right to participate in lawful industrial action, such as strikes or picketing, if they are in dispute with their employer.
• The right to protection from unfair dismissal, discrimination and harassment: This safeguards against losing their job or being mistreated because of their performance, conduct or personal characteristics. Employees have the right not to be dismissed without a fair reason and a fair procedure and to appeal against their dismissal if they think it is unfair. They also have the right not to be discriminated against or harassed because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
• The right to claim redundancy pay and statutory notice: This is the compensation that employees are entitled to receive if they lose their jobs because their employer no longer needs them or cannot afford to keep them. Employees have the right to a statutory redundancy payment if they have worked for their employer for at least two years. The amount depends on their age, length of service and weekly pay. They also have the right to a statutory notice period before their employment ends, which is at least one week for each year of service up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
• The right to transfer their employment contract under TUPE regulations: This is the protection employees have when their employer transfers their business or part of it to another employer. TUPE stands for Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations. These regulations ensure that employees keep their existing terms and conditions of employment and continuity of service when they move to the new employer.