As the busy Christmas period begins, Stewart McDonald MP has produced a list of tips, info and advice to make sure people are aware of their rights at work.
Whether a full-time worker preparing for another busy season, or a temporary seasonal worker looking for some extra cash ahead of Christmas, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Pay
Mostly importantly, know that you are entitled to the minimum wage – regardless of how many hours you work or even if you’re just taking a temporary job over the Christmas period.
These rates came into force in April 2018.
Breaks
For rest breaks you can look to the European Working Time Directive.
This directive ensures all workers are entitled to rest break of at least 20 mins for every six hours of continuous work during a single shift and at least 11 hours’ rest in each 24-hour period.
You are also entitled to statutory sick pay if you normally earn over £116 per week and have been ill for at least 4 days in a row (including non-working days).
Equal rights
Workers are also covered by equality legislation. Equality law applies to all organisations and all types if work (part-time, temporary, etc.). The Equality Act 2010 makes it illegal to discriminate on the basis of:
Unpaid work
And finally – the issue I have constantly been campaigning on - challenging unpaid work.
The Chancellor this year said that “work must always pay” but we know that is not happening.
Whilst the Government says that all workers are entitled to the minimum wage – there is still a culture of unpaid internships and unpaid trials that persists across these islands.
If you feel you have not received the National Minimum Wage when you should have been, or you’ve been underpaid, I urge you to report it to HMRC.
You can also get free, clear and confidential guidance about any kind of dispute or query that you have about the workplace by calling the ACAS helpline on 0300 123 1100.
FAQs
Will all shops be closed on Christmas
Day?
The Christmas Day (Trading) Act prevents shops,
except for small convenience stores, from trading on 25 December. Although the
legislation allows small convenience stores to trade,
My work is closed on Christmas Day. Will I have
to make up the hours?
Some employers require staff to make up lost
hours, use holiday entitlement or take unpaid leave for the hours when stores
are closed.
Is working on a public holiday voluntary?
For some workers, working on a designated public
holiday is voluntary. For others, working on some or all public holidays is
part of the contract.
Does working on a public holiday attract
premium payments?
There is no automatic right to enhanced pay if
you work on a public/bank holiday. The pay rate for working these days depends
on your contract of employment.
Am I entitled to a paid day off on a public
holiday?
There is no automatic legal right to paid time
off on a public holiday. Your position in relation to working/time off on a
public holiday will depend on your terms and conditions of employment.
Are Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve normal
working days?
As Christmas Eve 2018 and New Year's Eve 2018
fall on a Monday, they are normal working days.
Every Christmas and New Year the business
puts pressure on staff to work extra hours, often at short notice. Do I have to
do it?
Unless your contract states otherwise, working
additional hours is voluntary and should be agreed mutually between you and
your manager.
My store is very cold over Christmas. What can
I do?
There are many queries about cold workplaces in
the winter months. USDAW’s guide to working in cold weather contains useful advice on what you and your
employer can do.