Equal Pay Rights Request (12 Weeks) Letter Template & Generator

If you need to assert right to equal pay and treatment after 12-week qualifying period, a written letter is the recommended first step — it creates a clear record and shows you're pursuing the matter formally. Below is what a strong equal pay rights request (12 weeks) should include, plus a free tool to generate yours.

What this letter needs to cover

• State the comparable permanent worker pay rate
• Request immediate adjustment of pay and written confirmation of equal treatment going forward

What the 12-week qualifying period means

Once you've worked in the same role with the same hirer for 12 continuous weeks, you become entitled to the same basic pay and working conditions as a comparable permanent employee doing the same job — this is a specific right under the Agency Workers Regulations 2010, separate from the day-one rights that apply from your very first day.

What to include before you send it

• Confirmation of your start date and that you've now completed the 12-week qualifying period
• A comparison between your current pay and conditions and those of a comparable permanent employee, where known
• A request for your pay and conditions to be brought in line going forward, and for any shortfall to be backdated to the point you qualified
• A reasonable deadline for a response

What counts toward the 12 weeks

The 12-week period is generally based on time spent in the same role with the same hirer — moving to a genuinely different role can sometimes reset the clock, but minor changes to duties within the same broad role typically don't. If you're unsure whether a change in your role affects your qualifying period, it's worth checking the specific circumstances carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't know what a comparable permanent employee earns?
You can reasonably ask your hirer or agency to confirm this — you're entitled to enough information to assess whether you're being treated equally.

Does this include bonuses and overtime rates?
Basic pay entitlement generally covers core pay rates rather than discretionary bonuses, though it's worth checking the specific terms that a comparable employee receives, since some elements may be included.

See our full letter template & generator library for related letters, or use our free checkers for guidance specific to your situation.