Your employment rights
If you've got a query about your rights at work, Prospect can help. As well as dealing with members' individual queries we produce an employment rights factcard, and a series of members' guides covering key issues in more detail.
These are examples of the questions we deal with on a daily basis.
- Am I entitled to a contract setting out the terms of my employment?
- I have applied for promotion to the next grade several times, but am never successful. In the last promotion round I was sure I was well qualified and suited for promotion. I am now beginning to think that this is due to my race. Can I take a claim to an employment tribunal?
- I have been working at my job for several years and a new person has just been recruited to do the same job as I do, but they are being paid £3,000 per year more than I am. Am I not entitled to equal pay?
- I have been off work with chronic fatigue syndrome for several months, my doctor thinks I am ready to go back but that I should have a gradual return to work, rather than going back to full duties immediately. Can I ask my employer for this?
- How much annual leave am I entitled to?
- Can my employer insist I work on bank holidays?
Do you need advice or help with a work-related issue?
Members: log in now to download any of the documents below.
Employment law resources
Factcards
Members' guides
02 Early retirement, severance and redundancy in the civil service
This guide is out-of-date and no longer available to download.
This guide is out-of-date and no longer available to download.
04 Individual contracts of employment
Your legal rights if you're employed on an individual contract; how to negotiate your own contract; and the pitfalls to avoid
Your legal rights if you're employed on an individual contract; how to negotiate your own contract; and the pitfalls to avoid
06 e-mail and the internet at work
The spread of email and the internet at work has raised new issues for trade union members and representatives. Prospect has seen a growing number of disciplinary cases connected to the use of computer facilities. Members need to be aware that inappropriate use of these facilities can result in disciplinary action and dismissal.
The spread of email and the internet at work has raised new issues for trade union members and representatives. Prospect has seen a growing number of disciplinary cases connected to the use of computer facilities. Members need to be aware that inappropriate use of these facilities can result in disciplinary action and dismissal.
08 Work-related stress
The causes of stress, its effect on health, its symptoms, and employers' legal duties (updated March 2010)
The causes of stress, its effect on health, its symptoms, and employers' legal duties (updated March 2010)
09 Fixed term contracts
This guide summarises the legal rights to equal treatment for fixed-term contract employees and the limitations on extending the fixed-term beyond four years. It also describes the other general rights for workers on fixed-term contracts.
This guide summarises the legal rights to equal treatment for fixed-term contract employees and the limitations on extending the fixed-term beyond four years. It also describes the other general rights for workers on fixed-term contracts.
11 Employment tribunals
This guide explains the process of progressing a claim through an Employment Tribunal (ET). Updated July 2009
This guide explains the process of progressing a claim through an Employment Tribunal (ET). Updated July 2009
12 Parental and family leave
This booklet - updated in January 2009 - explains everyone's rights under the Maternity and Parental Leave regulations and the Paternity and Adoptive Leave regulations. It also indicates how your employer can improve upon the minimum provisions. It complements our Members' Guide 13 to Maternity Rights, which sets out entitlement to maternity pay and leave.
This booklet - updated in January 2009 - explains everyone's rights under the Maternity and Parental Leave regulations and the Paternity and Adoptive Leave regulations. It also indicates how your employer can improve upon the minimum provisions. It complements our Members' Guide 13 to Maternity Rights, which sets out entitlement to maternity pay and leave.
16 Part-time and flexible working
How flexible and reduced patterns of work can help you balance your working life with your personal life
How flexible and reduced patterns of work can help you balance your working life with your personal life
17 Equality at work
An overview of the legal rights that relate to equal opportunities at work as at October 2010. This replaces the earlier guide 'equal opportunities and the law.'
An overview of the legal rights that relate to equal opportunities at work as at October 2010. This replaces the earlier guide 'equal opportunities and the law.'
24 Redundancy
Addresses a number of employment law issues that arise in the context of redundancy, from identifying what a redundancy is through to discriminatory treatment and unfair dismissals. Also looks briefly at negotiating a redundancy policy. This guide is part of our Members' Assistance Programme (MAP) - see http://www.prospect.org.uk/adviceandservices/redundancy
Addresses a number of employment law issues that arise in the context of redundancy, from identifying what a redundancy is through to discriminatory treatment and unfair dismissals. Also looks briefly at negotiating a redundancy policy. This guide is part of our Members' Assistance Programme (MAP) - see http://www.prospect.org.uk/adviceandservices/redundancy