What are Your Rights as an Employee?
It is important for every person of the working class, to know their rights. So contract of employment can take away the rights you have by law. Every worker, regardless of the job profile, the number of hours they work and the wages they are paid are entitled to certain legal rights. Some of the basic rights include:
- Written statement of terms of employment has to be handed over to the worker within 2 months of his start.
- The worker has to be paid at least the national minimum wage. This even includes the casual workers, agency workers, and also the ones who work of zero hours contract. You wouldn?t be entitled to this right if you are self employed or under 16 in age.
- The right to paid maternity leaves and in some countries paid paternity leaves as well.
- Worker cannot be made to work for more than 48 hours in a working week, with weekly and daily rest breaks, as per health and safety laws.
- Even though the employer is allowed to do background checks on their potential shortlisted candidates during the hiring process or even after, but if you feel that your employer is using these background checks in discriminatory ways or for unfair dismissal, you are allowed to file a report against him/her.
- If you have a contract that allows you with only a 2 week holiday, per year, but by law you are entitled to 28 eaves in a working year, this part of the contract would not be valid.
- In a job interview, the interviewer can ask question pertaining to the field of work and skills necessary for the job. The interviewer is not allowed to ask any unnecessary questions related to personal matters, like sexual orientation or religious preferences. Also the interviewer cannot talk about any arrests if the arrest hasn?t resulted in a conviction, or a verdict.
- If your employer fails to provide a safe, working environment for his/her workers, you have the right to voice out your concerns without the fear of retaliation. Also if the any worker is injured or disabled on the job, he/she is entitled to fixed compensation payments.
- An employee has the right to join a trade union, and cannot be dismissed or refused a job because he is a member. He/she is allowed to participate in trade union activities and meetings, or even perform public duties, for example, the jury duty.
- All workers and entitled to paid leaves, and bank holidays (can be unpaid). Bank holidays refer to the calendar holidays, other than the statutory paid holidays mentioned by law or in the contract.
- All workers and entitled to paid leaves, and bank holidays (can be unpaid). Bank holidays refer to the calendar holidays, other than the statutory paid holidays mentioned by law or in the contract.
- All workers and entitled to paid leaves, and bank holidays (can be unpaid). Bank holidays refer to the calendar holidays, other than the statutory paid holidays mentioned by law or in the contract.
If you feel any of the above mentioned rights are being violated, or you are being bullied or discriminated because of any personal characteristic, you should raise your grievances and make a complaint.
