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2 Employment

Download Employment (PDF File, 396kb)

1. Introduction

2. Do I need a contract of employment?

3. Do I have the right to work in the UK?

4. What is the least I should be paid?

5. How many hours can my employer make me work?

6. Does my employer have to recognise my trade union?

7. What if I've been dismissed unfairly?

Many people, if they are dismissed, talk about having been made redundant. In fact, redundancy is just one type of dismissal. Redundancy generally happens when an organisation needs fewer people to carry on its business - see 'What if I´ve been made redundant?'. You can, of course, be dismissed for other reasons.

If you are dismissed (whether through redundancy or otherwise), and you think you've been treated unfairly, there are two ways you may be able to claim compensation:

• a statutory claim for unfair dismissal, if you think your employer acted unfairly in dismissing you -see 'Bringing a statutory claim for unfair dismissal'; or
• a contractual claim for wrongful dismissal, if your employer did not give you the notice that you are entitled to under the terms of your contract -see 'Bringing a contractual claim for wrongful dismissal'.

8. Bringing a statutory claim for unfair dismissal

9. What if I´ve been made redundant?

10. Bringing a contractual claim for wrongful dismissal

11. What if I´ve been discriminated against?

12. What are my rights if I work part-time?

13. What are my rights if I´m having a baby?

14. Can I take leave as a new father?

15. What are my rights if I´m adopting a child?

16. What other leave can I get after my child is born or adopted?

17. Can I change my working arrangements if I have children?

18. Can I take time off if I am someone´s carer?

19. Further Help

20. About this leaflet

This leaflet is published by the Legal Services Commission (LSC). It was written in association with Ian Hunter, Head of the Employment Department, Bird & Bird, Solicitors.

The leaflets are regularly updated but the law may have changed since they were printed so the information in them may be incorrect or out of date.

Leaflet Version: July 2007