What are my statutory rights at work?

Statutory rights are the basic rights that almost all workers and employees are entitled to. There are some exceptions, but generally, all employers must abide by them and they give the worker legal entitlement.

The statutory rights are as follows:

• the right to be paid the minimum wage or the national living wage (if over the age of 25);
• the right to not have unlawful deductions made from the workers pay;
• the right to be given a payslips and showing any deductions made;
• the right not to be discriminated against based on a protected characteristic;
• the right to receive written terms and conditions of you job. This should be done within two months of starting the employment;
• the right to be paid holiday pay;
• the right to have time off for maternity, paternity and adoption leave;
• the right to have time off antenatal classes and appointments;
• the right to have unpaid leave for time off for dependants in a emergency;
• the right to have unpaid leave for study and training for young workers or apprentices;
• the right to have unpaid leave for trade union activities;
• the right to not work more than a 48hr week;
• the right to have proper daily and weekly rest breaks;
• the right to not be treated badly if you have made a protected disclosure/whistle blown;
• the right to be given notice of dismissal, if you have been working for an employer for more than a month;
• the right to receive a written explanation from your employer if you are dismissed during your pregnancy or maternity leave;
• the right to be accompanied by a trade union rep or work colleague during disciplinary or grievance hearings;
• the right to be have the same contractual rights as full time workers if you work part time;
• fixed term employees should have the same contractual rights as permanent employees;
• the right to submit a request for flexible working after 26 weeks with the employer;
• After one years service, employees should also have the right to take unpaid parental leave;
• After two years working for the employer you are entitled to redundancy pay, if you are being made redundant. You should also be allowed to take paid time off work to look for other jobs, if you are being made redundant.