Work Rights

Work rights or workers’ rights are legal and human rights that govern the relationship between a worker and an employer.

As an employee it is important to know and understand the rights that you have in the workplace to ensure that you can work in a safe environment. It is also important for an employer to understand the provisions they should put in place in the workplace to ensure that they are following the law and that their employees are protected.

In the United Kingdom, employees are protected by several Acts of Parliament such as the Employment Rights Act 1996,  the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Data protection Act 2018 and the Equality Act 2010.

1.    Employment Rights Act 1996

Some rights you are entitled to include:

• Receiving the National minimum wage

• Protection against unlawful deductions from wages

• Receiving the statutory level of paid holiday

• Right to work no more than 48 hours on average per week

• Protection against unlawful discrimination

• Protection for whistleblowers

2. Health and Safety at Work Act 1976

   
   

Under the 1974 Health and Safety at work act, it is “the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”

This is important to know and understand as it could prevent risk of injuries or accidents occurring in the workplace that could have otherwise been avoided.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, you are entitled to receive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if you are working in a dangerous or hazardous environment. For example, this could include hard hats if you work on a construction site or gloves if you are handling chemicals.

You are also entitled to receive training to ensure you can carry out your job correctly if required and to work in a safe working environment without risks to health. Ways to achieve this could be by creating a safe space to put chemicals away from workstations or by reducing potential risk hazards such as loose wiring and keeping a tidy work area to reduce the risk of people falling or tripping over and becoming injured. Your employer is also entitled to ensure that your workplace is well maintained and that there are adequate facilities and arrangements for your welfare at work.

3. Data Protection Act 2018

   
   

It is also important to know what data your employer can keep about you and what your rights are when it comes to storing your personal information.

Information your employer can keep includes:

• Your name

• Address

• Date of birth

• Sex

• Employment terms and conditions

• National Insurance number

  
  

However, some information requires your permission to store such as your:

• Race and ethnicity

• Religion

• Health and medical conditions

• Trade Union Membership

  
  

In relation to the storage of your personal data, you have a right to be told by your employer:

• What records are kept and how they’re being used

• The confidentiality of the records

• How these records can help with training and development at work

4. The Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society. The characteristics that are protected by the Equality Act are- age, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership(in employment only), pregnancy and maternity and disability.

If you have a disability, your employer must make “reasonable adjustments” to avoid you being put at a disadvantage compared to non-disabled people in the workplace. This may include accessibility for wheelchairs or adjusting your work hours so that it is suitable for your needs or by providing special equipment to help you carry out your job.

How can Pure Business Law help?

Specialist Employment Solicitors

Pure Business Law are specialist Employment Solicitors based in Bedford and London and operating nationally. We act for employers and employees. If you need advice on any of the issues we have raised in this article please call us on 01234 938089 or e-mail us at enquiries@purebusinesslaw.co.uk and one of our Helpline team members will be in touch.

Pure Business Law is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and is a licensed member of the Law Society of England & Wales.

Please note: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.