Am I entitled to redundancy pay?

You are entitled to statutory redundancy pay if you have worked for your employer for at least 2 continuous years. The amount depends on your age, length of service and weekly pay, capped at £751 per week.

What is unfair dismissal?

Unfair dismissal occurs when your employer dismisses you without a fair reason or without following a fair procedure. You need 2 years of service to claim, reducing to 6 months from January 2027.

When is statutory sick pay paid?

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is now paid from Day 1 of illness following the Employment Rights Act 2025. The current rate is £123.25 per week for up to 28 weeks.

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2. AI can make mistakes

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3. Verified figures and guidance sources

Statutory figures (such as rates for minimum wage, SSP, redundancy, pension contributions, council tax bands, flight compensation amounts, and benefit rates) are verified against GOV.UK, ACAS, Citizens Advice, and relevant regulatory bodies. Laws and rates change regularly. Always verify important figures at gov.uk before making decisions or taking action.

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💷 Employment & Pay Guide

Employment Pay Rights: Know What You're Owed in 2026

Whether you're on minimum wage, a zero-hours contract, or have had money wrongly deducted from your pay, this guide explains your pay rights, what the law guarantees, and exactly what to do if you're being underpaid.

✅ Last verified: July 2026📚 Sources: GOV.UK, ACAS, HMRC, Fair Work Agency🇬🇧 Applies across the UK

⚖ Know Your Rights at a Glance

National Living Wage (age 21+): £12.71/hour from 6 April 2026 — your employer cannot legally pay you less.
Statutory Sick Pay: £123.25/week — payable from day one of illness as of 6 April 2026. No waiting days, no earnings threshold.
Payslip rights: You must receive an itemised payslip from day one of employment.
Unlawful deductions: Your employer can only deduct from pay if authorised by law, your contract, or your written consent.
Holiday pay: 5.6 weeks (28 days full-time) is a legal entitlement — it cannot be waived by contract.
Fair Work Agency: New enforcement body from 7 April 2026 — enforces NMW, holiday pay and SSP.

⏰ Wage deduction claims have a strict time limit

Claims for unlawful deduction from wages must be brought within 3 months less one day of the deduction (changing to 6 months from 1 October 2026). Series of deductions: you can claim up to 2 years back in England, Wales and Scotland.

🆕 Fair Work Agency operational from 7 April 2026

The Fair Work Agency now enforces NMW, holiday pay and SSP underpayments. Penalties for holiday pay underpayment are 200% of the amount owed, capped at £20,000 per individual.

National Minimum Wage rates (April 2026)

Age group	Rate (from April 2026)
21 and over (National Living Wage)	£12.71/hour
18–20	£10.85/hour
Under 18	£8.00/hour
Apprentice (under 19, or 19+ in first year)	£8.00/hour

Tips, bonuses and uniform deductions cannot reduce your NMW. If your take-home pay after any deductions falls below NMW, that is an underpayment.

Statutory Sick Pay — day-one right from 6 April 2026

SSP is £123.25/week, paid from day one of sickness (for 4+ consecutive days including non-working days). There are no waiting days and no minimum earnings threshold. Your employer can pay more via contractual sick pay — check your contract.

Holiday pay and mileage

5.6 weeks (28 days full-time) holiday is a legal entitlement. For irregular hours, holiday pay is 12.07% of hours worked. HMRC approved mileage rate for cars from 6 April 2026: 55p per mile for first 10,000 miles, 25p thereafter (increased from 45p — first change since 2011).

Tips (since 1 October 2024)

Employers must pass all tips to workers in full. No deductions except tax. Tips must be paid by end of the following month. A written tips policy is required. The Tipping Act does not apply in Northern Ireland.

Check your hourly rate against NMW

Divide gross pay by hours worked. If below £12.71/hour (age 21+), you are being underpaid.

Request payslips in writing

You're entitled to itemised payslips from day one. Keep copies.

Raise it informally first

Many pay errors are genuine mistakes. Speak to HR and note the response.

Submit a formal written grievance

If informal resolution fails, write a grievance letter with dates and amounts. Keep a copy.

Report to the Fair Work Agency

For NMW, holiday pay or SSP: report at gov.uk. They can enforce and apply 200% penalties.

Contact ACAS and consider a tribunal claim

For unlawful deduction from wages, contact ACAS for early conciliation. Time limits apply.

💷 Check Your Pay Rights

Describe your pay situation and get instant guidance on what you're owed.

Use the Free Checker →

Frequently asked questions

My employer pays me a salary — does NMW still apply?

Yes. Divide your weekly pay by actual hours worked. If below NMW, your employer is breaking the law.

Can my employer pay me in cash?

Yes, cash wages are legal as long as the amount meets NMW and you receive a payslip.

I'm on a zero-hours contract — do I get holiday pay?

Yes. For irregular hours, it's 12.07% of hours worked, paid as rolled-up holiday pay (itemised separately).

Can my employer deduct money for a till shortage?

Only if your contract specifically authorises this in advance in writing. Deducting without prior written authority is unlawful.

How far back can I claim unpaid wages?

Up to 2 years for a series of unlawful deductions in England, Wales and Scotland. Individual deductions: 3 months less one day (6 months from October 2026).

Do I have pay rights from day one?

Yes. NMW, payslip rights, and SSP all apply from your first day. No qualifying period.

Can my employer say my salary "includes" holiday pay?

Only if you're an irregular-hours worker and the holiday element is clearly itemised on your payslip. A fixed salary that vaguely "includes" holiday is not compliant.

📞 Free help and support

ACAS: 0300 123 1100 — free pay rights advice

Fair Work Agency: gov.uk — report NMW, holiday pay and SSP violations

HMRC NMW complaints: 0300 123 2671

Citizens Advice: 0800 144 8848

⚠ Important disclaimer: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as at July 2026. General legal information only — not legal advice. Verify with ACAS, GOV.UK or Citizens Advice before acting. ukworkrights.co.uk — Not a law firm.