Qualifying periods

For certain rights, various groups of people are excluded.  Most rights apply only to employees but some apply to wider groups of workers.  It is important to check the detailed information on the qualifying conditions outlined below.

Entitlement:

• protection from unfair dismissal for reasons including maternity, parental and paternity leave; undertaking activities aimed at improving health and safety; refusal to work on Sundays; assertion of rights under working time regulations; performance of duties as trustee of occupational pension scheme;
• performance of function as employee representative; making a protected disclosure; assertion of statutory rights, including right to national minimum wage and right to certain credits; claim for union recognition; trade union reason; part-time worker status;
• 26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave followed by 26 weeks of additional maternity leave;
• UK adoptions - 26 weeks of ordinary adoption leave followed by 26 weeks of additional adoption leave;
• parental bereavement leave;
• protection from discrimination on the grounds of sex; race; religion or belief; sexual orientation; civil partnership status; marital status; age; and disability.

Entitlement:

• at least one week’s notice of termination of contract;
• guarantee payment in case of lack of work;
• payment of salary during suspension on medical grounds;
• right not to be dismissed on medical grounds.

Entitlement:

• a written statement of the particulars of employment (to be received no later than two months after starting employment).

Entitlement:

• two weeks’ paid paternity leave;
• UK adoptions - statutory adoption pay;
• overseas adoptions - leave and pay;
• statutory maternity pay;
• parental bereavement pay;
• flexible working rights.

Entitlement:

• protection from unfair dismissal for reasons other than those specifically listed in the relevant legislation, including dismissal without following the correct statutory procedure.

Entitlement:

• at least one week’s notice for each year of continuous employment;
• redundancy payment and time off to look for other work or to arrange training.