UK employment rights, in plain English.
Last verified 5 Jun 2026 · Source ACAS + HMRC + Employment Rights Act 1996 + ERA 2002Redundancy. Sick pay. Maternity. Paternity. Holiday entitlement. Unfair dismissal. Tribunal deadlines. Most UK workers never read their full statutory rights until something goes wrong — and by then there’s often a 3-month-minus-1-day deadline ticking. Sorted lays it all out clearly, free, with ACAS routes and tribunal escalation.
Six employment areas — what you’re owed.
Tap any to see the rules, deadlines, and the Sorted tool that helps.
Statutory minimums + tax-free £30k.
Under 22: 0.5 week’s pay per year worked. 22-40: 1 week per year. 41+: 1.5 weeks per year. Capped at £700/week, 20 years max. First £30,000 tax-free. Plus statutory notice + PILON if no notice given.
- GOV.UK redundancy calculator (free)
- Statutory notice + Payment In Lieu
- Consultation: 30+ days (20-99 staff) / 45+ days (100+)
- UC application day after last working day
3 months minus 1 day to file at tribunal.
Need 2+ years’ service for ordinary unfair dismissal. No minimum service for automatic unfair dismissal (whistleblowing, pregnancy, trade union, asserting statutory rights). Must contact ACAS Early Conciliation FIRST (free, 6 weeks max).
- ACAS Early Conciliation 0300 123 1100
- 3 months minus 1 day strict deadline
- Compensatory award capped £115,115
- Basic award follows redundancy formula
£116.75/week from day 4 of sickness.
Paid by employer for up to 28 weeks. Eligible if earning >£123/week (2025/26 Lower Earnings Limit). Many employers offer contractual sick pay above SSP — check your contract.
- Day 1-3: usually unpaid waiting days
- Day 8: fit note from GP required
- SSP1 form if you don’t qualify
- After 28 weeks: ESA / UC
Up to 52 weeks Maternity Leave.
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP): 6 weeks @ 90% pay, then 33 weeks @ £187.18/wk (or 90% pay if lower). Paternity: 1 or 2 weeks @ £187.18/wk. Shared Parental Leave allows up to 50 weeks shared between parents.
- MATB1 form required from GP/midwife
- Notify employer by 25 weeks pregnant
- Right to return to same job (26-week ML)
- Sure Start Maternity Grant if on benefits
5.6 weeks paid leave minimum.
28 days for someone working 5 days/week (can include bank holidays). Pro-rated for part-time. Max 48-hour working week (can opt out). 11-hour daily rest, 24-hour weekly rest. Unpaid 20-min break per 6+ hours.
- 5.6 weeks paid annual leave
- National Living Wage £12.21/hr (Apr 2025)
- Itemised payslip is legal requirement
- Pension auto-enrolment from age 22
Raise it in writing. Keep evidence.
Statutory grievance procedure (ACAS Code) protects your rights. Formal grievance letter first. If unresolved: appeal hearing. If still unresolved: ACAS Early Conciliation then Tribunal. Whistleblowers under PIDA 1998 have day-one rights — no qualifying period.
- Sorted Letter Writer drafts grievances
- Right to be accompanied to meetings
- PIDA whistleblower protection
- Keep dated notes + emails
More employment guides.
Plain-English guides to the money and rights behind the areas above.
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