A big part of university is being independent and living on your own, this sometimes calls for having to work part-time alongside your studies. You may have questions about your work responsibilities, even problems with your employer, or not know where to go for advice. Making yourself familiar with your rights is important so you can advocate for yourself in the workplace.  

Key Workers Rights in the UK:  

National Minimum Wage 

You must be paid at least the legal minimum wage for your age. The rates are updated every April, so always check the latest figures on the gov website. If your employer is paying you less, they are breaking the law. 

Zero-Hour Contracts  

Many hospitality and retail jobs offer zero-hour contracts, meaning your employer doesn’t guarantee a set number of hours. While this offers flexibility, you still have rights: 

• You don’t have to accept every shift if your contract states it's voluntary 

• Employers can’t prevent you from working elsewhere 

• If you work regular hours for a long period, you may be entitled to a fixed-hour contract 

• You have the same statutory rights as other employees, including the national minimum wage and paid annual leave 

Breaks and Working Hours 

Even in fast-paced jobs, you are legally entitled to breaks: 

• If you work more than 6 hours, you must get at least a 20-minute break 

• You should have 11 hours of rest between shifts (E.g. if your shift ends at midnight, you wouldn’t be expected back until 11am the next morning)  

• You cannot be made to work more than 48 hours per week  

Holiday Pay 

Even if you’re on a casual or zero-hour contract, you still earn holiday pay. You are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday per year. This is calculated based on the hours you usually work. Employers must include holiday pay in your wages as it can’t be included in your normal hourly rate. 
If your normal hourly wage is £10 per hour, your employer can’t say, "We're paying you £11 per hour, and that extra £1 includes your holiday pay. They must pay you £10 per hour and separately calculate and pay your holiday pay when you take leave. 

Sick Pay  

If you earn at least £123 per week before tax, you qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re ill for more than four days in a row. Some employers offer additional sick pay, so check your contract. 

Fair Treatment  

• Your employer can’t fire you, cut your hours or treat you unfairly for speaking up about your rights 

• You are protected from discrimination based on age, gender, race, disability or other protected characteristics 

• You shouldn’t be forced to work unpaid ‘trial shifts’ that go beyond a reasonable assessment 

Where to get help 

If you think your employer is breaking the law or treating you unfairly, you don’t have to deal with it alone... 

• Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) offers free advice and can help with disputes at work 

• Citizens Advice provides guidance on pay, contracts and workplace rights 

• If you're not getting the correct minimum wage, you can report it confidentially to HMRC 

• Beckett Careers provides support with all aspects of career planning, job applications and employability skills