Employment

Offering free advice on essential topics relating to employment and contracts

Info for Employers

Flexibility is key to the Future of the Freelance Economy

Michael Rose | Employment,News

Great news for freelancers and contractors looking for freelance work from a recent survey conducted by freelance marketplace PeoplePerHour.com.

The survey reveals how the recession has affected small businesses’ approach to flexible hiring, results show that the freelance economy has been an ‘ace’ for small-businesses during the recession whilst there is also conclusive evidence that small businesses intend to adopt the flexible hiring method for the long run.

Middle-aged women and workplace perceptions

Mel Dixon | Employment

A recent survey has explored the attitudes of mid-life women in the workplace. Despite having confidence in their own ability, it seems these women feel their age goes against them as far other people’s perceptions are concerned.

The results make interesting reading which suggests freelancing could be the way forward…

PeoplePerHour.com – a success story

Michael Rose | Employment,Starting Out

An inspiring case study in the Guardian this week telling how Chris Clarke, a former financial controller, used Freelance jobs site PeoplePerHour.com to get back into business as a book-keeper.

Chris, a victim of the recession, was made redundant when his employer had to cut-costs so he went it alone and setup his own business. To find more clients, he has been attending events at his local chamber of commerce and using websites like PeoplePerHour.com where he can advertise his services.

Does your Employer have World Cup fever?

Lesley Furber | Employment

With England playing Slovenia at 3pm on Wednesday & a recent survey showing 20% of employers think employees will take unauthorised time off to watch the footie, here is our quick guide to taking time off during the World Cup.

How the freelance economy is changing

Michael Rose | Employment

The freelance economy is going through a phase of radical growth and transformation.

We explore some of the more fundamental trends and shifts utilizing data and survey results published by PeoplePerHour.com – the largest marketplace for freelancers and small businesses in Europe.

Pay and Wages, Pay cuts, Protection from ‘Unauthorised Deductions’ from your Pay

Lesley Furber | Employment

Pay and Wages explained. How your Pay is protected from ‘unauthorised deductions’ from your Employer and what to do if your Employer wants to cut your pay or you cannot get to work during transport or weather disruptions. Updated for 2010.

Working Hours, Rest Breaks and Holiday Entitlements – Working Time Directive – and Bank Holidays

Lesley Furber | Employment

All the information you need to know about the Working Time Regulations – Rest Breaks, Weekly working hours limits, Daily working hours limits, Opt-Outs, Holiday entitlements – and Bank Holidays. Holiday entitlement and sickness during holiday information updated for 2010.

Important Employment Law changes from 6th April 2010

Lesley Furber | Employment

A summary of the employment law changes coming up on 6th April 2010.

Working Hours, Rest Breaks and Holiday Entitlements – Working Time Directive – and Bank Holidays

Lesley Furber | Employment

All the information you need to know about the Working Time Regulations – Rest Breaks, Weekly working hours limits, Daily working hours limits, Opt-Outs, Holiday entitlements – and Bank Holidays.

Am I an Employee, Self-Employed (Freelance) or a Worker?

Lesley Furber | Employment

There are three different types of working individuals but deciding someone’s employment status can be complicated as there is no single legal definition.

Here is a quick guide to help you establish your status – if you are an Employee, Worker or Freelance.

What are my main Employment rights as an Employee, Worker or Freelancer?

Lesley Furber | Employment

Whatever your employment status, whether you are an employee, worker or freelancer, you have rights at work that are protected by law. Below is a comprehensive summary of what you are entitled to plus links to articles that cover each in detail.

Written Statements and Contracts

Lesley Furber | Employment

All Employees are legally entitled to a Written Statement, which they must receive within two months of starting the job. It is a summary in writing of your main terms and conditions of employment. For further information read this article.

Also In this article is: - information for freelancers on how to agree contracts, - and for Employees, details on how the terms and conditions in your contract can be changed with information about short-time working.

How your Employment can come to an end – for Employees

Lesley Furber | Employment

There are various ways your Employment can come to and – but if you are an Employee you have the right not to be unfairly dismissed. Read this article for comprehensive information.

Stakeholder Pensions

Lesley Furber | Employment

Information about Stakeholder pensions for employees, workers and Freelancers. If you are an employee your employer must provide you with access to a ‘stakeholder’ pension scheme within 3 months of starting your job in certain circumstances – read this article for more information.

Further information on Fixed Term Contracts

Lesley Furber | Employment

Employees with Fixed Term contracts also now have the legal right to be treated as favourably as ‘comparable’ permanent employees – read more in this article.

Your employment questions answered

Lesley Furber | Employment

Your frequently asked questions – about CV’s, Pay, Pensions, Freelancers, Working Parents, Dismissal, Redundancy, Fixed Term Contracts, Resigning, References, Bullying.

I’m a freelancer and my employer says they are ending my contract early for financial reasons. Can they do this?

Lesley Furber | Employment

Read on for advice.

I want to leave my job. I don’t have a contract so don’t know how much notice I need to give?

Lesley Furber | Employment

If you have not been given a contract or written statement the period of notice you need to give is probably no more than the statutory minimum requirement for employees and workers of 1 week. More information in this article.

My boss is bullying me and I’m really unhappy at work. What can I do?

Lesley Furber | Employment

For advice on who to talk to and what to do.

I’d like to contribute to a Pension scheme but my Employer hasn’t got one, what should I do?

Lesley Furber | Employment

If you are an worker your employer must provide you with access to a ‘stakeholder’ pension scheme within 3 months of starting your job in certain circumstances – read this article for more information.

My Employer has asked me to attend a disciplinary hearing but I don’t know why. What should I do, can I be dismissed?

Lesley Furber | Employment

The short answer is yes you can be dismissed, however your employer should follow a disciplinary and dismissal procedure if you are an employee. (Generally, workers and freelancers are not covered under Disciplinary Procedures). For further information read on.

I want to work less hours per week, how can I do this?

Lesley Furber | Employment

This article explains in what circumstances you can ask for flexible working.

My Employer says they can deduct money from our pay if they’re not happy with our attendance or work? Can they do this?

Lesley Furber | Employment

Legally, your employer cannot make a deduction from your pay unless it is written in your contract, or you have agreed to it, or the law allows it. For more information read this article.

I’ve been off sick and my Employer says they won’t pay me. What am I entitled to?

Lesley Furber | Employment

If you are an employee or a worker you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay if you meet what are known as the qualifying conditions. Freelancers are not entitled to SSP but may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit – more information in this article.

I think my last boss has given bad feedback about me on a reference. What can I do?

Lesley Furber | Employment

This can be a difficult situation – read on for advice.

As a freelancer I’ve completed work for an Employer but they’re ignoring my invoice. What can I do?

Lesley Furber | Employment

See this advice on chasing late payments.

My fixed term contract is coming to an end, what can I do? A friend said I could get a permanent contract or redundancy payment, is that right?

Lesley Furber | Employment

This depends how long you have been employed continuously by your employer on a fixed term contract and what you were employed to do. Read on …….

I work part-time but think I’m paid a lower hourly rate than my full-time colleagues – can this be right?

Lesley Furber | Employment

No, there has been legislation since 2000 that says that part-time workers are entitled to the same terms and conditions and benefits of employment as full-time workers if they do the same or similar job…….

My Employer is making me redundant – can they do that and am I entitled to any money and State Benefits?

Lesley Furber | Employment

Your employer can make an employee redundant if they have business reasons to do so (e.g. there is no work for you to do or less work for everyone to do), but there are procedures that must be followed…… read on for more advice.

My wife has just given birth, can I take time off work to be with them?

Lesley Furber | Employment

You may have the right to take time off on Paternity Leave or Parental Leave – read this article for more information.

How do I negotiate a pay/rate increase?

Lesley Furber | Employment

Asking for a pay/rate rise is not a comfortable thing to do, and there is no ‘right’ way to do it. However, whatever your situation is, you must prepare for a conversation about your pay….. read on for more advice.

The Minimum Wage, TV/Film Industry Rates, Agency Workers and Unpaid Work Experience

Lesley Furber | Employment

Detailed information about the Minimum Wage; information on TV/Film Industry Pay Guidelines; information about Agency Workers and guidelines for Unpaid Work Experience in the TV/Film Industry.

Equal Opportunities and Discrimination

Lesley Furber | Employment

There is various legislation covering all aspects of discrimination in the UK – they apply equally to employees, workers and those who are self-employed (in most cases). For full information read on.

Maternity Leave and Pay

Lesley Furber | Employment

There are 2 types of Maternity Leave and 2 types of Maternity Pay – for full details read this article.

Maternity Leave and Pay Chart

Lesley Furber | Employment

As part of our guide to Maternity here is a quick chart to help you work out your Maternity Leave and Pay entitlements.

Part-time workers

Lesley Furber | Employment

Did you know that part-time employees and workers have the same employment rights as full-time employees (and workers) – read this for more information.

Flexible Working and the Right to Request Time off for Training

Lesley Furber | Employment

Certain Employees, who have caring responsibilties for children or adults, now have the legal right to request to work flexible hours – read on for further information.

Whistle-blowing

Lesley Furber | Employment

Employees and Workers who ‘blow the whistle’ – i.e.make a ‘protected disclosure’ of any wrong-doing in the workplace by their Employer – are now protected by law in certain circumstances. For full information read this article.

Sickness, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and Sick/Fit Notes

Lesley Furber | Employment

Up to date information about Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and your entitlement to it. New information for 2010 on Sick notes and ‘Fit’ Notes.

Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions

Lesley Furber | Employment

For up to date details of Income Tax and NIC rates for Employees, Workers and Freelancers read this article.

Pay and Wages, Pay cuts, Protection from ‘Unauthorised Deductions’ from your Pay

Lesley Furber | Employment

Pay and Wages explained. How your Pay is protected from ‘unauthorised deductions’ from your Employer and what to do if your Employer wants to cut your pay.

TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings)

Lesley Furber | Employment

TUPE is the main piece of legislation governing the transfer of an undertaking (eg a business), or part of one, to another. The regulations are designed to protect the rights of employees in a transfer situation. Read this article for more information.

Grievance Procedures – for Employees

Lesley Furber | Employment

All Employers are required to have a grievance procedure for employees to use, in case you are unhappy with any of your working conditions. This article explains how the procedure should work.

Jury Service

Lesley Furber | Employment

Do I have to do Jury Service?

Redundancy and Statutory Redundancy Pay – for Employees

Lesley Furber | Employment

Who is entitled to a Redundancy payment? And further information on being made Redundant and your Redundancy pay entitlement.

Antenatal Care

Lesley Furber | Employment

Can pregnant women get time off to attend ante-natal classes?

Parental Leave

Lesley Furber | Employment

Find out who is entitled to take Parental Leave by reading this article.

Adoption Leave and Pay

Lesley Furber | Employment

Information about Adoption Leave and Pay and who is eligible for it.

Time off for Dependants – Family Emergencies

Lesley Furber | Employment

Did you know that in many circumstances employees now have the right to take time off work to deal with an emergency involving someone who depends on them? Read more here.

Paternity Leave and Pay

Lesley Furber | Employment

Following the birth of a child or an adoption placement, fathers who are employees have a right to paternity leave and pay, to care for the child or support the mother……

Disciplinary and Dismissal Procedures – for Employees

Lesley Furber | Employment

All Employers are required by law to have a written disciplinary procedure for employees and you must have access to this. Read this article for more information on what the procedure involves.

Additional information for Employers part 2

Lesley Furber | Employment

In Part 2 of the ‘Information for Employers’ read about – What Employment Policies you need; Trade Unions and Consulting your staff; Problems at work including handling Disciplinaries, Dismissals and Grievances, Sickness Management; Giving References to previous Employees; Your Insurance needs and obligations.

Additional information for Employers part 1

Lesley Furber | Employment

In these two ‘Employers Information’ sections we give you additional information to help you run your small business, as of course employing staff can be complicated! In Section 1 we give you information about Employing different types of staff; Making a Job offer and Employment checks; The Employment Forms you need to use and Personnel records to keep; your Pay and Pension obligations.

Useful Links:

Lesley Furber | Employment

Links to – general employment information resources; information for Freelancers; information for Employers; TV/Film Industry information and Resources (including Regional and National Film Agencies, Guilds/Unions/Associations, Recruitment/Training/Course providers).

My new employer wants me to be Freelance but I don’t think I’m eligible?

Lesley Furber | Employment

In the Film and Television Industry the Inland Revenue has produced guidance about who can legitimately be freelance/self-employed – read this article for more information.

Testimonials received by Workline

Lesley Furber | Employment

The nice things you say about the Workline service!

Privacy, Copyright, Terms and Conditions of Workline

Lesley Furber | Employment

Details of Workline’s Privacy Policy, Copyright Policy and Terms and Conditions of use of this website policy.

Search for advice:

Working Hours, Rest Breaks and Holiday Entitlements - Working Time Directive - and Bank Holidays 43 comment(s)
Awesomitise: Discover the Radical Alternative to Searching for Clients 33 comment(s)
Freelance Hacks: 10 Benefits of Rising Early, and How to Do It 15 comment(s)
Better Business Cards 15 comment(s)
Legal Checklist - six things you must consider when going freelance 14 comment(s)
Go Freelance - 2010 Edition 13 comment(s)
ReceiptFarm takes the hassle out of receipts and expenses 12 comment(s)
Marketing yourself as a freelance designer: Six simple tips for your CV and portfolio 11 comment(s)
Ltd Company: Detailed information on the expenses you can claim 10 comment(s)
Starting out: 10 things no one told me about freelancing 8 comment(s)

Recent Comments:

Home office: One size doesn’t fit all: I am 6′ 3″ and shopping for a new office chair, where could I start looking? London UK >>
Contractor debate: Umbrella versus Limited Company: Good article, I would like to add though that that nearly all good umbrella companies will offer free impartial advice as... >>
Making money with screencasting: Great guide for both screencast makers and owners. I’ve read your screencast handbook and really enjoy it Ian. Hope you can introduce... >>