When it comes to employment rights, many individuals may not be aware of their rights if they have been employed for less than two years. However, it is crucial to understand that even employees with under 2 years of employment tenure are still entitled to certain rights and protections in the workplace. In this article, we will delve into the rights of employees with less than two years of service, commonly referred to as “under 2 years employment rights.”
First and foremost, it is important to note that under UK employment law, employees gain certain rights and protections after completing two years of continuous service with an employer. These rights include protection against unfair dismissal, the right to receive a redundancy payment, the right to request flexible working arrangements, and the right to take time off work for various reasons such as maternity/paternity leave, sick leave, and bereavement leave.
However, even employees with less than two years of service are not entirely without rights. In fact, under the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees are protected from discrimination and harassment in the workplace from day one of their employment. This means that employers cannot discriminate against employees on the basis of protected characteristics such as age, gender, race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
Additionally, under the Equality Act 2010, employees are protected from discrimination based on protected characteristics. This means that employers cannot treat employees less favourably due to their age, gender, race, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. If an employee believes they have been discriminated against, they can raise a grievance with their employer or seek advice from ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) to pursue further action.
Furthermore, under the Equality Act 2010, employees are entitled to equal pay for equal work. This means that employers must pay employees equally for performing the same or similar work, regardless of their gender. If an employee suspects that they are being paid unfairly, they have the right to request information from their employer to compare their pay to that of their colleagues.
In addition to protection against discrimination and unequal pay, employees with under 2 years of service also have the right to a written statement of employment particulars. This statement should outline key terms and conditions of employment, such as pay, working hours, holiday entitlement, and notice periods. Employers are legally required to provide this statement to employees within two months of their start date.
Moreover, employees with under 2 years of service are entitled to statutory sick pay if they are unable to work due to illness or injury. Statutory sick pay is paid by the employer for up to 28 weeks and is calculated based on the employee’s average earnings. To qualify for statutory sick pay, employees must notify their employer of their absence and provide a sick note from a doctor if they are off work for more than seven days.
Lastly, employees with under 2 years of service also have the right to request flexible working arrangements. This could include working from home, changing their working hours, or job sharing. Employers are legally obliged to consider employees’ requests for flexible working and provide a valid reason if they choose to reject the request.
In conclusion, while employees with less than two years of service may not have the same rights as employees with more tenure, they are still entitled to certain rights and protections in the workplace. Understanding these rights can help employees navigate their employment more effectively and ensure they are treated fairly and equally. By being aware of their under 2 years employment rights, employees can advocate for themselves and seek redress if they feel their rights have been violated.