UK Employment Law Overview

Right to a Written Statement: Employees must receive a written statement of employment particulars within two months of starting work.
Minimum Wage: Employees are entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
Working Hours: The Working Time Regulations govern maximum working hours (typically 48 hours per week) and rest breaks.
Paid Leave: Employees have the right to statutory annual leave (minimum of 5.6 weeks), sick leave, and maternity/paternity leave.
Protection Against Unfair Dismissal: Employees with at least two years of service can claim unfair dismissal if terminated without fair reason.
Health and Safety: Employers must ensure a safe working environment and comply with health and safety regulations.

Employment Contract: A legally binding agreement outlining terms of employment including roles, responsibilities, and remuneration.
Implied Terms: Certain terms are automatically included in employment contracts, such as the duty of mutual trust and confidence.
Variation of Contracts: Any changes to the terms must be agreed upon by both parties; unilateral changes may constitute a breach of contract.
Notice Period: Both employer and employee must adhere to notice periods for termination, which are typically outlined in the contract.
Statutory Rights vs. Contractual Rights: Employees are entitled to statutory rights (minimum entitlements) and may have additional rights specified in their contract.

Equality Act 2010: Consolidates previous anti-discrimination laws, protecting against discrimination based on protected characteristics (e.g., age, sex, race, disability).
Types of Discrimination:
- Direct Discrimination: Treating someone less favorably due to a protected characteristic.
- Indirect Discrimination: A policy that applies to everyone but disproportionately affects a group with a protected characteristic.
- Harassment: Unwanted behavior linked to a protected characteristic that violates dignity or creates a hostile environment.
- Victimization: Treating someone unfairly because they have made a complaint or supported someone else's complaint.
Duty to Make Reasonable Adjustments: Employers must accommodate employees with disabilities, ensuring they can perform their roles effectively.
Burden of Proof: In discrimination cases, the burden of proof may shift to the employer if the employee establishes a prima facie case of discrimination.

Employees have the right to a written statement of employment particulars within two months of beginning their job.
Employees must be paid at least the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, depending on their age and employment status.
The Working Time Regulations limit maximum working hours to 48 per week and outline entitlements for rest breaks.
Employees are entitled to statutory annual leave, which is a minimum of 5.6 weeks, as well as sick leave and maternity/paternity leave.
Employees with a minimum of two years of service can claim unfair dismissal if dismissed without just cause.
Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe working environment and complying with health and safety regulations.

An employment contract is a legally binding document that specifies the terms of employment, including job roles, responsibilities, and pay.
Implied terms in contracts reflect mutual trust and confidence that partners will respect each other's rights.
Changes to the employment contract must be mutually consented to; unilateral modifications may constitute a breach.
Notice periods for contract termination are typically defined in the employment contract, obligating both parties to comply.
Employees have both statutory rights (minimum legal entitlements) and contractual rights (additional rights specified in their contract).

The Equality Act 2010 consolidates previous legislation and protects against discrimination based on specific protected characteristics, including age, sex, race, and disability.
Direct discrimination occurs when an individual is treated unfavorably due to a protected characteristic.
Indirect discrimination arises from policies that, while applicable universally, adversely affect a particular group with protected characteristics.
Harassment involves unwanted behavior related to a protected characteristic that diminishes dignity or fosters a hostile atmosphere.
Victimization refers to unfair treatment of individuals who have complained of or supported complaints regarding discrimination.
Employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees, ensuring they can effectively execute their responsibilities.
In discrimination cases, if an employee makes a prima facie case of discrimination, the onus may shift to the employer to prove otherwise.

Podcast