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Rights vary by country, but typically include notice periods, severance pay and the right to challenge unfair dismissal. An employment lawyer can assess your specific situation.
Yes — employment contracts must generally comply with local law regardless of the employer's home country. A local lawyer should review any contract before you sign.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across United Kingdom's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsEmployment rights in Great Britain are principally governed by the Employment Rights Act 1996 (ERA 1996), the Equality Act 2010, and the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (TULRCA). Workers qualifying for unfair dismissal protection must ordinarily have two years' continuous employment (ERA 1996 s.108), though no qualifying period applies for automatically unfair reasons (e.g. whistleblowing, pregnancy, trade union activities).
| Age Band | Per Year of Service | Weekly Pay Cap (April 2024) | Maximum Years | Maximum Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 22 | 0.5 week | £700 | 20 | £7,000 |
| 22 – 40 | 1 week | £700 | 20 | £14,000 |
| 41 and over | 1.5 weeks | £700 | 20 | £21,000 |
Weekly pay cap rises annually (ERA 1996 s.227). Employees with less than 2 years' service receive no statutory redundancy pay. Payment is tax-free up to £30,000 (ITEPA 2003 s.403).
| Award Component | Calculation Basis | 2024/25 Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Award | Age × service × weekly pay (same matrix as statutory redundancy) | £21,000 (max) |
| Compensatory Award | Actual loss (earnings, benefits, future loss) less contributory fault reduction | £115,115 or 52 weeks' gross pay — whichever lower (ERA 1996 s.124) |
| Additional Award | Where employer fails to reinstate after ET order | 26–52 weeks' pay (capped at £700/wk) |
| Uplift (Acas Code failure) | ET may uplift by up to 25% if employer unreasonably fails to follow Acas Code on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures | 25% on compensatory award |
Compensation for discrimination is uncapped (unlike unfair dismissal). Awards include injury to feelings (Vento bands, updated 2024: lower band £1,200–£12,000; middle band £12,000–£36,000; upper band £36,000–£60,000+), financial loss, and aggravated/exemplary damages. The highest discrimination awards can exceed £1 million for loss of career earnings.
Since May 2014, claimants must contact Acas and complete (or decline) Early Conciliation before lodging an ET1 claim form (Employment Tribunals Act 1996 s.18A, inserted by Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013). The EC certificate stops the limitation clock for the conciliation period. Standard time limits: 3 months minus 1 day from dismissal (unfair dismissal, discrimination); 6 months (redundancy pay, equal pay, protective award). Missing the limitation period is fatal to most claims.
| Right | Qualifying Period | Key Legislation |
|---|---|---|
| Unfair dismissal | 2 years | ERA 1996 Part X |
| Statutory redundancy pay | 2 years | ERA 1996 Part XI |
| Written statement of terms | Day 1 | ERA 1996 s.1 (as amended by EA 2002) |
| National Minimum Wage (23+) | Day 1 | NMW Regs 2015; £11.44/hr April 2024, £12.21/hr April 2025 |
| Statutory sick pay | Day 1 (4 days incapacity) | SSCBA 1992; £116.75/wk 2024/25 |
| Statutory maternity pay | 26 weeks by 15th week before EWC | SSCBA 1992 s.164; 90% 6wks then £184.03/wk or 90% if lower |
| TUPE protection | Day 1 (on transfer) | Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regs 2006 |
| Whistleblower protection | Day 1 | ERA 1996 Part IVA (PIDA 1998) |
| Right to request flexible working | Day 1 (from April 2024) | ERA 1996 s.80F (amended by ERA 2023) |
| Holiday entitlement (5.6 weeks) | Day 1 (pro rata) | Working Time Regs 1998 reg.13 |
Anil, a software engineer aged 38 with 6 years' service, was made redundant. Weekly pay £1,100 (capped at £700). Statutory redundancy pay: 6 × £700 × 1 = £4,200 (tax free). He alleged unfair dismissal (no proper selection criteria, no appeals). ET claim: basic award £4,200; compensatory award £28,000 (6 months actual loss + 6 months future loss); Acas Code uplift 15% = £4,200. Total: approximately £36,400. Acas Early Conciliation settled at £22,000 before ET hearing — legal fees for respondent avoided.
