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Helping Shape Your Future

Since 1986

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Helping Shape Your Future

Since 1986

Personal Development theme of the month:

Employment rights & responsibilities

including age, wage and pensions

What are the basic employment rights and responsibilities?

The three basic rights of workers include rights concerning pay, hours and discrimination. Workers are entitled to these rights through the law and may declare their employer if they do not respect these rights

What are my responsibilities as an employee in the UK?

Workers have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions at work. Workers must co-operate with employers and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements

What laws protect employers in the UK?

All your workers are protected by the Employment Rights Act 1996, as amended, against suffering any harm because of any reasonable actions they take on health and safety grounds. This applies regardless of their length of service.

Further useful reading

What are the 3 basic employment rights for a worker in the UK?

Employment rights – getting the National Minimum Wage. protection against unlawful deductions from wages. the statutory minimum level of paid holiday. the statutory minimum length of rest breaks.

Ageism at work

Ageism, also called age discrimination, is when you are treated unfavourably because of your age. This section focuses on ageism that you may experience at work and how you are protected by the law.

Does age matter in the workplace

By training staff to be aware that age does not matter in the workplace, an inclusive environment can be fostered for all. Providing staff with opportunities to mix and meet each other can allow time for employees to learn common interests separate from their age.

Signs of Age Discrimination at Work

  • Hearing Age-Related Comments or Insults
  • Seeing a Pattern of Hiring Only Younger Employees
  • Getting Turned Down For a Promotion
  • Being Overlooked for Challenging Work Assignments
  • Becoming Isolated or Left Out
  • Being Encouraged or Forced to Retire
  • Experiencing Layoffs

Further useful reading

What will the UK minimum wage be in 2023? - £10.42

As of 1 April, 2023, the UK minimum wage has increased. As of this moment, the National Living Wage will consist of an hourly rate of £10.42. Additionally, the rate for 21-22 year olds will be £10.18, for 18-20 year olds £7.49 and for 16-17 year olds it will be £5.28.

Apprentice pay and the National Minimum Wage

There are different rates of pay for apprentices depending on your age and what year of your apprenticeship you’re in. Your employment contract should confirm your rate of pay.

Further useful reading

Workplace pensions - what your employer can and cannot do

All employers must offer a workplace pension scheme by law. You, your employer and the government pay into your pension.

Workplace pensions - what your employer can and cannot do

Your employer must automatically enrol you into a pension scheme and make contributions to your pension if you’re eligible for automatic enrolment.
If your employer does not have to enrol you by law, you can still join their pension scheme if you want to. Your employer cannot refuse.
However, they do not have to contribute if you earn these amounts or less:

  • £520 a month
  • £120 a week
  • £480 over 4 weeks

Does workplace pension affect State Pension?

Saving into a workplace pension doesn’t affect your entitlement to the State Pension because your State Pension is based on your record of National Insurance contributions, built up over the course of your working life.

Discovery learning platform

Through May 2023 NWCS are promoting

Employment rights & responsibilities including age, wage and pensions

A further learning opportunity in relation to Financial Skills has been set up for you via the Discovery learning platform.

Please ensure to speak with your Training Officer about this.

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