Welcome to Breathe's employment law hub

Employees in the UK are entitled to several core rights, including the national minimum wage, holiday entitlement, protection against unfair dismissal, and statutory sick pay. Employees also have the right to work in a safe environment, free from discrimination.

Under UK law, full-time employees are entitled to 28 days of paid annual leave per year, including bank holidays. For part-time workers, the holiday entitlement is calculated proportionally based on the number of days or hours worked.

Employees who meet eligibility criteria are entitled to statutory maternity leave of up to 52 weeks. Statutory maternity pay (SMP) can be paid for up to 39 weeks. Paternity leave is available for eligible employees for up to 2 weeks, with statutory paternity pay (SPP) provided. Businesses may choose their own maternity and paternity policies, which could include an enhancement of the statutory. 

From 6 April 2024, all employees in the UK, not just parents or carers, will have the legal right to request flexible working from their first day of employment. This means employees can ask to make permanent changes to their contract, such as adjusting their working hours, work location, or work pattern, right from the start of their job. 

Unfair dismissal occurs when an employee is terminated without a fair reason, or the proper process is not followed. Employees with two or more years of continuous service can bring a claim to an employment tribunal if they believe they have been unfairly dismissed. 

Workplace disputes can often be resolved through internal procedures, such as grievance or disciplinary processes. If unresolved, disputes can be referred to ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation, and Arbitration Service) for early conciliation, or brought to an employment tribunal.