Employment law for individuals

Employees are entitled to minimum wage, holiday pay, rest breaks, protection from discrimination, notice periods, and written employment particulars.

Currently, most employees need two years’ service to claim ordinary unfair dismissal. However, some rights (e.g. claims for discrimination or whistleblowing) are “day one” rights.

Note: Under the new Employment Rights Act, the qualifying period for unfair dismissal is set to reduce to six months starting from 1 January 2027.

You may be entitled to consultation, notice, and statutory redundancy pay. Redundancy selection must be fair and non‑discriminatory.

A redundancy must be genuine, follow proper consultation, and include fair selection criteria. You should be kept informed in writing.

You’re entitled to know the allegations, be accompanied (usually by a colleague or trade union rep), put forward your case, and appeal the outcome.

You’re protected from discrimination based on protected characteristics and can make claims regardless of service length.

You must receive written employment particulars covering pay, hours, notice, and other key terms on or before day one.