Having a job is an essential part of most people’s lives. When you are in work, you can be faced with many difficult issues, so it is essential to know what your rights are.
We can advise you on all aspects of work including:
Rights at work
Your basic rights at work including information on wages, holidays and sickness, rights of expectant and working parents; what you should expect from your contract of employment and the rights of agency workers.
- Basic rights at work
- Rights to pay
- Flexible working
- Parental rights at work
- Contracts of employment
Problems at work
If you have a work problem, you need to obtain advice as soon as possible. In most cases, you will have to start action within three months of the incident or issue that you are unhappy about.
We can advise as to how you might tackle the problem and what to do at each stage; whether you’re sorting things out informally, taking out a grievance or making a claim to an employment tribunal.
- What to do if there’s a problem at work
- Early conciliation – how it works
- Early conciliation – how it affects the time limit for making a claim
- Employment tribunals from 29 July 2013
- Dealing with grievances at work
Work comes to an end
If your job ends through redundancy or dismissal; what are your rights when this happens, what procedures must be followed, is your dismissal is unfair or wrongful and what is your eligibility for benefits.
- Redundancy
- Employer goes out of business
- Dismissal
- Dismissal and benefits
Time off work
When taking time off work your right to maternity leave and to return to work after maternity leave. If you are off work because of sickness your pay and eligibility for benefits. What holidays are you entitled to, including bank and public holidays.
- Maternity leave
- Off work because of sickness
- Bank and public holidays
- Holidays and holiday pay
Discrimination at work
What is unlawful discrimination at work and what you can do about it.
- Discrimination at work – where to start
- Identifying discrimination
- What are the different types of discrimination?
- What doesn’t count as discrimination at work
- Taking action about discrimination at work
Health and safety at work
What if your workplace is unsafe or you have an accident at work. What support is available if you suffer with mental health problems.
As a migrant worker, how your employer should look after your health and safety.
- Overseas workers in the UK
- Mental health and support in the workplace
- Accidents at work
Self-employed or looking for work
If you are thinking of starting your own business, getting a job or starting your own business – we can advise on training, managing money, health and safety and employing people. You can also ask us about what schemes there are to help you into work.
- Self-employment: checklist
- Government employment schemes
- Starting your own business – HMRC guidance
Young people
If you are a young worker we can advise on your employment rights. There are special laws to protect the employment rights of young workers. These laws concern your health and safety, what jobs you can do, when and how many hours you can work.
- Young people and employment
What to bring to your meeting
To help our advisors give you the best possible guidance please ensure you bring the following to your meeting:
- Employment Contract
- Details of any disciplinary/grievance/dismissal issues
- Recent letters from employers
- Documentation relating to Employment Tribunals
- Staff handbook
Any information that you give us or send us will be stored in a record that is confidential to the Citizens Advice service.
If you are a Trade Union Member or member of a professional association
If you are a member of a Trade Union or Professional Association, you should contact your Union or Association as they should have knowledge and experience specific to your type of work and your workplace.
How to contact us
If you would like more information or advice please contact us by: