If you are going to join a company as an employee, then you are probably aware that you have casual employment rights while at work. Employers must uphold these rights, and there are penalties for employers who deny their workers these rights. Before you join, you should collect all the information about the employment rights that will make you aware that what will be your responsibilities and what you will not have to do in the future. The employees need to know the duties of employers towards you.
Necessary employment rights, you must know:
- The minimum wage applies to almost all workers and is not dependent on industry or the size of the company in which you are working. There is a different rate for those over the age of 22, those aged 18-21 and for those older than the school leaving age, but younger than 18. There are some circumstances where the minimum wage does not apply, but for the vast majority of workers, the minimum wage is applicable.
- Most employers agree that it makes business sense to allow employees to work flexible hours. It could be to facilitate childcare or caring for another family member, or for when working at home would be more productive. There are different ways of implementing flexible working hours. Such as job sharing, staggering hours during the day, covering core times, agreeing a set number of hours per week which could be worked either a few hours a day, or more hours over fewer days.
- All employees have a contract of casual employment rights, even though it may not be in writing in some cases. Members of staff are entitled to a written statement of the main points of the contract within two months of starting. Contracts can be changed, and a notice of termination can be given by both the employee and the employer.
- Workplace disputes happen for various reasons and can range from a simple misunderstanding to something quite serious. It could be your employer breaking the law, or discriminating against you, or can you not take a holiday when you want it. If normal channels of communication have been exhausted and have not worked, the next step would be a formal grievance complaint.
- Knowing about casual employment rights will make the employees able to fight lawfully against their employers to take their major and informal powers. Discrimination, including sexual discrimination, equal pay, age discrimination, racial and religious discrimination, and bullying is not tolerated. It should be reported to line managers or the HR department if it occurs. If the discrimination still occurs, then there are services, perhaps through a trade union, that can help you.