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What are my rights in the workplace?

Lucindy Osei, Women and Girls Panel
Lucindy Osei, Women and Girls Panel
Entering the workplace for the first time? Read this article to find out what rights you’re entitled to when joining the workforce, how your rights can be applied in practice, and what steps can be taken when you feel your rights aren’t being respected.
a group of people putting hands in

What do we mean by “rights”?

Rights is a word used to define things we are all entitled to and are free to do. Our rights are protected by law in the UK under the Human Rights Act 1998, and this means they cannot be taken away. As a worker you are entitled to a certain type of rights known as “employment rights”. Although if you are volunteering or completing work experience, you are not classed as a ‘worker’.

Employment Rights refer to:

  • Minimum wage
  • Paid holiday
  • Breaks
  • Protection against unlawful discrimination
  • A safe and healthy working environment
  • Protection for ‘whistleblowers’
  • Not to be treated less favourably if they work part time
  • Protection from unlawful deduction from wages
  • The choice to work no more than 48 hours on average per week
  • A payslip

Entitlement to some of these employment rights may differ according to age, hours, and type of employment contract. To find out more information on how employment rights can apply to you, or to check your status as a ‘worker’ you can read more on the GOV.UK website.

a contract on a wooden desk

Rights in practice

In the UK, all employers must uphold employment rights. But this does not eliminate the chance of you encountering discrimination, bullying, harassment, or victimization as an employee. When faced with these, you may find greater protection through the Equality Act 2010. The Equality Act lists 9 protected characteristics, which aim to prevent discrimination, and help foster a more equal and diverse workplace, where everyone is treated fairly and with respect.

These 9 characteristics are:

  • Age
  • Race
  • Sex
  • Sexual orientation
  • Religion and belief
  • Pregnancy and maternity
  • Gender reassignment
  • Disability

Although not a protected characteristic, this also includes equal pay law.

What steps can I take if my employment rights aren’t being respected?

If you feel your rights have been violated, or that you have been discriminated against, it is important to speak up. Whether you feel able to address the grievance yourself, within the workplace it is important to always report such issues to those in a position of authority or trusted employee to have the incident/s on the record. Whilst your place of employment may have their own internal procedures for dealing with such matters, if you feel a crime has taken place, you are always entitled to report it to the police.

Find out more

Use the below links for further support and to find out more information on Employment Rights.

 

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