Back
Employment rights
Understand your rights at work and where to get support if you need it.
Your rights at work
Everyone who is paid to work has some rights, but these will depend on your employment status.
The 3 main types of employment status
Employee
You usually have a written contract and work regular hours.
Worker
You work through an agency or only work when the business or person employing you wants you to.
A worker can also be someone who chooses when they want to work and doesn’t have a contract. Many people on zero-hours contracts will fit in this category.
Self-employed
You work for yourself and charge others for your services.
Your rights
No matter your status, most people have the right to:
- be paid at least the National Minimum Wage
- protection from unfair treatment
- receive paid holiday and sick leave
- work in a safe and respectful workplace
Find out more about employment status on the UK Government website.