Working in the UK-an introduction
2006-10-27
Working in the UK? Whatever your profession, skill or age, employment in the UK offers many opportunities to explore and to broaden your career horizons. You may need a work permit before you can take up employment or engage in business in the UK.Getting started
If you're not from the UK or the European Union, you'll usually need permission to work (often called a work permit).
There are lots of ways of finding a job: personal contacts, Jobcentres, employment agencies and newspaper adverts are common ways. You can improve your chances of getting a job by getting training to improve your skills.
Your terms and conditions of employment
Most people who work in the UK are 'employees', with a contract of employment. The law says this must have certain terms, and it can usually only be changed with your agreement.
Other kinds of worker include agency workers, contractors and self-employed people. Their terms and conditions vary, although all workers have certain basic rights.
Money matters
Almost all workers in the UK who are over 16 have the right by law to get a minimum hourly wage. The amount depends on the age of the worker, but the main National Minimum Wage for workers over the age of 22 is £5.05 per hour.
You'll probably have to pay tax and National Insurance contributions (NICs), which your employer will take from your wages. There may be other deductions taken from your pay, but these must be agreed by you in writing. Your employer should give you a 'payslip' showing what has been taken.
If you're off work for four days or more because of sickness, you'll probably be able to get Statutory Sick Pay of £70.05 a week for up to 28 weeks. You'll need a doctor's certificate for any periods of sickness of more than seven days.
Health and safety at work
The UK has strict rules about health and safety at work. Employers must provide a safe place to work and ensure that risks are kept to a minimum. Workers have a responsibility to ensure that they don't put themselves or other employees in danger.
Working hours and time off
There are limits to the number of hours that you can be made to work, although you can choose to work more than the limit if you want. You have the right by law to a certain amount of time off each week, depending on the job you do and the hours you work. You also have the right to a minimum amount of paid holiday each year.
You also have the right to ask for flexible hours (ie to change your hours or shift pattern) if you have children under the age of six (though your employer doesn't have to agree to your request if there's a good business reason why it wouldn't work).
Work and the family
Most workers in the UK can take paid time off work for the birth or adoption of a child. The amounts of time that can be taken, and the time off you can be paid for, are different depending on whether you are the mother or the father and how long you’ve been with the employer. Parents also have the right to take a certain amount of unpaid time off to look after their children up until their sixth birthday.
Discrimination at work
The UK has strict laws on discrimination (ie treating someone differently for no good reason). It's illegal to discriminate against someone because of their gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, colour, ethnic background or religion. It's illegal to refuse to employ someone because of their membership or non-membership of a trade union. From October 2006, it will be illegal to discriminate because of someone's age.
Leaving a job
There are very few limits on you leaving your job and getting another one, although you're expected to stick to the terms of your contract, usually by giving proper notice. There are laws to protect you against unfair dismissal (being sacked for no good reason). If you're made redundant (sacked because of lack of work for you to do), you may get a payment if you have been in the job for long enough. Not all rights apply to all workers, for example the rights against unfair dismissal and to redundancy payments do not normally apply to agency workers. You will need to have worked for your employer for a minimum amount of time to qualify for some rights.
Trade unions and what they can do for you
Trade unions are organisations for workers that provide services including talking to employers about pay and working conditions. Many unions offer free legal advice, financial help, sickness benefits and education.
Resolving problems
If you have problems at work, and you’re not given your legal rights, there are various ways to sort this out. Special courts called Employment Tribunals will hear cases involving work problems, but you should try to sort out problems with your employer first. Most employers have a ‘grievance procedure’ (ie company complaints procedure) that you can use.
Where to get help
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues. You can call the Acas help line on 08457 474747 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can provide free and impartial advice. You can find your local CAB office in the phone book or online.
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