10 Common Employees Right in the Workplace

Knowing your employee’s rights and responsibilities is very important in the workplace. This will help develop a safe workplace and environment

The employer-employee relationship is primarily governed by a contract, granting both parties duties and rights. Employee rights are moral or legal entitlements an employee has to have or do to ensure fair treatment in the workplace.

Well, in this reading, we’ll explore the major employee rights at work. This means you’ll understand your rights in the workplace.

Let’s begin!

The 10 Major Employees Right at Work

Below are the ten important employees’ rights in the workplace:

• You are entitled to receive a payslip.
• You must not face discrimination in the workplace.
• Health and safety regulations apply to your work environment.
• You are eligible for statutory sick pay.
• You have statutory maternity and paternity rights.
• You have the right to request flexible working arrangements.
• You are entitled to annual leave.
• Minimum notice periods must be observed.
• You are eligible for statutory redundancy pay.
• You are protected against unfair dismissal.

You are Entitled to Receive a Payslip.

A payslip is a crucial document that provides a detailed breakdown of an employee’s total pay, including deductions such as tax and National Insurance.

It should be provided on the day of pay or before and includes the gross and net amounts of the deductions. Variable deductions, such as tax, National Insurance, Student Loan repayments, and pension contributions, vary depending on the amount paid.

Fixed deductions, which can be explained in a separate statement, must be sent out before the first payslip and updated annually.

You Must Not Face Discrimination in the Workplace.

The Equality Act 2010 protects employees from direct discrimination based on their protected characteristics, such as age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.

Direct discrimination occurs when unfair treatment is due to these characteristics, such as a pregnant woman’s absence due to morning sickness.

Indirect discrimination occurs when rules are reasonable in theory but less fair to a specific protected characteristic in practice, such as requiring all employees to work one Saturday a month.

Sometimes, discrimination is justified, such as a surgeon’s eyesight deteriorating, allowing their workplace to change their duties to protect patients.

To report discrimination, check if you are covered by the law if your employer is responsible, and identify the discrimination that applies to your case. This will help you decide what action to take and whether to seek legal advice.

Health and Safety Regulations Apply to Your Work Environment.

The Work Act and Health and Safety at Work Act mandate employers to create a healthy environment in the workplace, ensuring facilities like toilets, wash basins, and clean drinking water, as well as maintaining equipment and maintaining a clean, well-lit environment.

You Are Eligible for Statutory Sick Pay.

Statutory sick pay (SSP) is available to eligible employees who have worked for their employer, earned an average of £120 per week before tax, and have been ill, self-isolating, or shielding for at least four days in a row.

SSP can be received for up to 28 weeks, depending on the reason for the absence. Shielding from coronavirus can be granted for a specified period, while self-isolating can receive SSP every day if unable to work from home.

If off sick for reasons unrelated to coronavirus, SSP can be received from the fourth day, with waiting days being paid if received within the last eight weeks.

You Have Statutory Maternity and Paternity Rights.

Statutory maternity and paternity rights are essential for employees to ensure their rights are protected during their pregnancy. Statutory maternity leave, which lasts 52 weeks, is compulsory for all employees, with the last 26 weeks being additional.

Employees can take two weeks’ leave after their baby is born, or four weeks if employed by a factory.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks, with 90% of the average weekly earnings before tax for the first six weeks. For the next 33 weeks, employees must receive either £151.20 or 90% of their average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

Qualifying employees must earn at least £120 or $190 a week, give their employer at least 28 days’ notice, provide proof of pregnancy, and have worked for their employer continuously for at least 26 weeks.

Paternity leave is also available for employees who have been continuously employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before the baby is due.

Employees can choose to take one or two weeks of paternity leave, which must be taken in one go and end within 56 days of the birth.

You Have the Right to Request Flexible Working Arrangements.

Employees who have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks can request flexible working through a statutory application.

This application can be made once per year, requiring a statement of the statutory request, details of the desired work flexibility, start date, an explanation of the business impact, and a history of previous applications.

The employer must make a decision within three months, changing the terms and conditions in the contract if granted, and explaining the reasons behind refusal. If the employer refuses, the employee can file a case with a tribunal.

You Are Entitled to Annual Leave.

Employees working a five-day week are entitled to 28 paid annual leave days per year, including bank holidays, during maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, and while off sick. This ensures a balanced work-life balance.

Minimum Notice Periods Must Be Observed.

The employer must provide a minimum notice period to employees who have worked between one month and two years. This period is statutory and should be detailed in the contract.

Employees are entitled to one week for every year worked, up to a maximum of 12 weeks, if they have worked between two and 12 years. The minimum notice periods apply even if the employment contract states a shorter length of time.

You Are Eligible for Statutory Redundancy Pay.

Statutory redundancy pay is available to employees who have worked for their employer for two or more years, with a maximum of 20 years.

This includes half a week’s pay for each full year under 22, one week’s pay for those aged 22-40, and one-and-a-half week’s pay for those aged 41 or older. The pay is calculated based on the average earned per week over the 12 weeks before receiving the redundancy notice.

You Are Protected Against Unfair Dismissal.

The statutory protection against unfair dismissal in employment requires employers to provide a lawful reason for terminating an employment contract, provide the agreed notice period, and follow a fair procedure.

Fair dismissal can occur for various reasons, such as conduct, ability to perform the job, redundancy, or no longer meeting legal requirements. However, some cases may be considered unfair.

To be legally protected against unfair dismissal, employees must have been continuously employed for a minimum of two years.

However, some instances of unfair dismissal include being a trade union member, refusing to give up a statutory right, whistleblowing, or being dismissed due to a protected characteristic.

Employers must pay former employees compensation if an employment tribunal decides their dismissal was unfair, which can be up to one year’s pay, capped at £86,444 (whichever is lower).

Employees must note their rights and identify when they are not being met.

Read Further here!

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FAQs

What are your rights as an employee in the US?

Employees have a right to: Not be harassed or discriminated against (treated less favorably) because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, age (40 or older) or genetic information (including family medical history).

What are my rights as an employee in Texas?

All Texas employees are entitled to basic employee rights including the right to privacy, fair compensation, and freedom from discrimination in the workplace.

How do I show legal rights to work in the US?

Documents that Establish Both Identity and Employment Authorization
U.S. Passport or U.S. Passport Card.
Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Receipt Card (Form I-551) …
Foreign passport that contains a temporary I-551 stamp or temporary I-551 printed notation on a machine-readable immigrant visa.

What is the right to work in the United States?

All US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to work in the US without the need to apply for a work authorization document. However, if a foreign citizen wants to enter the US for employment purposes, they must obtain an appropriate work visa.

What are the rights of Labour in the United States?

Since the Civil Rights Act of 1964, all employing entities and labor unions must treat employees equally, without discrimination based on “race, color, religion, sex, or national origin”. There are separate rules for sex discrimination in pay under the Equal Pay Act of 1963.

What are my rights as a California employee?

Employees must be paid the state minimum wage with very few exceptions. Most non-exempt employees in California must receive paid 10-minute rest breaks for every four hours worked in a day. They must also receive an unpaid 30-minute meal break for every five hours worked in a day.