Employment
People who make their living by working for someone else or a company (known as an employer) are called employees because they are in employment. Those who make their living by providing goods and services without working for an employer are known as self-employed. If people lose their jobs and are unable to find paid work, they are known as unemployed.
Employers and employees have rights protected by law. Since 1994, both part-time and full-time employees have had the same rights. Employment rights include:
Employees are protected by disability, race and sex discrimination laws.
Employees have to be given notice if they are asked to leave once they have worked for more than a month. After two months, employees should receive the terms and conditions of their jobs in writing.
Employees are entitled to redundancy pay if they are made redundant and have worked for the employer for two years or more.
Employees are able to claim for unfair dismissal if they have worked for an employer for at least a year and feel that they have been unfairly sacked.
All employees aged 18 or over are entitled to receive at least the minimum wage which is £4.10 per hour (£4.85 for employees aged 22 years and over). This is expected to increase in October 2005 to £4.25 and £5.05 respectively.
An employer must make sure that the workplace is safe as the employer has a legal responsibility to follow all safety procedures.
All employees over the age of 16 have the right to at least four weeks’ paid holiday a year.
Protection against discrimination