Introduction (1868 words)

Since the last edition of Law at work was published in June 2004 there have been a number of important developments affecting employment rights. ...

1. The employment law system (4375 words)

There are two systems of law in the UK. Statutory law is the law enacted by Parliament. Statutory law provides the framework for most ...

2. Categories of worker (5019 words)

An individual's status, that is whether they are an "employee" or a "worker", is very important in establishing their statutory rights. The box below ...

3. Starting work and the employment contract (8034 words)

Most employers require a reference before they will employ someone. Young workers starting work for the first time are likely to come with references ...

4. Rights to pay and conditions (8333 words)

Under the National Minimum Wage Act 1998, UK workers have the right to a minimum wage, currently set at £4.85 an hour for those ...

5. Union and collective organisation (5418 words)

To gain access to many of the rights covered in this chapter the union must be recognised by the employer. The Employment Relations Act ...

6. Discrimination (10108 words)

The law prohibits discrimination in employment on the following specific grounds: sex, race and nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief and transsexuality. ...

7. Sick pay and sickness absence (3060 words)

Employees who do not have a right to better occupational sick pay from their employer should receive, when off work on account of sickness, ...

8. Leave for working parents (4054 words)

The rights of working parents to time off and pay to care for their children have improved in recent years. The flat rate of ...

9. Industrial action (5968 words)

The law relating to industrial action covers not just strikes but lockouts, go slows, working to rule, refusing to cross picket lines and refusing ...

10. Dismissal (12489 words)

Every year thousands of people pursue unfair dismissal claims. It is the largest single category of claims coming before tribunals. However, the right to ...

11. Redundancy (5708 words)

An employee is dismissed for redundancy, and may be entitled to redundancy pay, if either of the following occurs: ...

12. Business transfers and contracting out (5899 words)

If a company is sold (other than through a share transfer) or if a service is privatised or contracted out, the Transfer of Undertakings ...

Further information (520 words)

Throughout the booklet references have been made to the relevant statutes. Copies of these can be obtained directly from The Stationery Office (tel: 0870 ...