Working Time Limits
The Working Time Regulations 1998 (as amended) provide for normal working hours for employees. Employees normal working hours should be included in their employment contracts, and their terms of employment should also state what working patterns are involved in the job. Even if employees do not have a written employment contract, they must still be...
Your right to a written contract within 2 months of work!
One of the most frequent violations of statutory employment rights reported to CAB is the failure to receive a written statement of the main terms and conditions of employment. Some employees are provided with a very detailed contract of employment while others may not have anything in writing. A contract of employment is an agreement...
No guaranteed time off for study or training in Northern Ireland
Last year in England, Wales and Scotland certain employees were granted the right to ask for time off for study or training. This right is only for businesses with 250 employees or more. There are no current plans to extend this to Northern Ireland or allow the right to extend to smaller businesses. The current...
Give us a break – rights to holiday leave and pay explained
Rights to holiday leave and pay are one of the most common employment queries to CAB. A recent evidence briefing which was produced nationally by Citizens Advice showed that there are still many workers throughout the UK who are still not given this basic statutory right. ‘Give us a break’ welcomed Government plans to review...
Every employee entitled to basic rights!
By law, every employee is entitled to a certain set of basic rights and conditions at work. These basic rights are separate from any rights granted by an employment contract. Whilst an employment contract can add to the employee’s rights at work, it cannot remove any statutory rights and any clause which seeks to do...
Don’t let workplace bullies get the better of you!
Workplace bullying can have an adverse effect, both for those who suffer from it and for the employers who experience disrupted workplaces. It is difficult to assess the prevalence of bullying in the workplace, but the Labour Relations Agency deals with over 1,000 enquiries on workplace bullying each year, and it could be assumed that...
All work no rest? Ensure you get a break!
Rest breaks are an important area of employment rights; to ensure both the welfare of workers and the maintenance of workplace productivity. Following a 2006 case in the European Court of Justice, it has been established that employers must establish in an active fashion that workers can take advantage of their right to rest breaks....
Under 18? Know your working rights!
With many young people having part-time work over the summer holidays or during their studies, it is important to consider their rights. The legislation which establishes the law for children and young people in this area is the Employment of Children Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996. A child is defined as someone under the minimum school...