Employment rights
Whilst at work, you have rights to protect you, whether you are the employee of a company or of an employment agency. What follows is only a brief guide. More information is contained on page 90 in York's Young People’s Survival Guide, and you can also visit:
Pay and conditions
- You should receive a written 'contract' or statement of employment particulars within two months of starting work. This should for outline for example your hours of work, pay, and holiday entitlement.
- Most workers over the age of 16 are legally entitled to a National Minimum Wage. The following rates apply from 1 October 2011.
- Aged 21 or over - £6.08 p/hr
- Aged 18–20 - £4.98 p/hr
- Aged 16–17 - £3.68 p/hr
- Apprentices earn a minimum of £2.60 p/h. This applies to those under 19, and those over 19 in their first year of their apprenticeship (after that, the rate for your age applies)
- At 18 you can be asked to work a maximum of 48 hours a week (though you can opt to work more if you wish)
Equality and discrimination
It is illegal for your employer to discriminate (directly or indirectly) against you because of your race, religion, nationality, sex, sexuality, disability, age, or because you work part-time.
Pregnancy
- If you become pregnant, you have certain rights to protect you. It is illegal to discriminate against you because you are pregnant. Discrimination during pregnancy includes being made redundant or being sacked solely because of your pregnancy or giving you different or unsuitable work
- You have the right to paid time away from work for ante-natal care
- 52 weeks of Maternity Leave
Trade unions
- As an employee, you have the right to join a trade union. Unions are often involved with negotiating agreements on, for example, wages and working conditions
- A union official can represent you at work if you have problems, and help you stand up for your rights
Health and safety
- You have the right to work in an environment where risks to your health and safety are properly controlled
- Employers have a duty to make sure that your workplace is safe and without risks (you need also to play a part as well)
- You should be given proper training and safety equipment if you are doing anything that could be dangerous and you should not be made ill by anything your are doing
- Not everything rests on the employer – as an employee you have to take care at work and make sure that equipment is used correctly
