Your Rights at Work

From April 2026: £12.71 (21+), £10.85 (18–20), £8.00 (16–17 and apprentices). It's illegal to pay less, and deductions can't push you below it.

Statutory Sick Pay is £123.25/wk and, from April 2026, is payable from your first day off sick — the old three "waiting days" are gone, and it now covers all employees regardless of income. Many employers pay more under company sick pay — check your contract.

Statutory Maternity/Adoption Pay is 90% of pay for 6 weeks, then £194.32/wk or 90% (whichever is lower) for up to 33 more weeks. Paternity and Shared Parental Pay are £194.32/wk or 90% (whichever is lower).

The statutory minimum is 5.6 weeks/year (28 days for a 5-day week). Example: work 3 days a week and you get 3 × 5.6 = 16.8 days.

After 2 years' service, statutory redundancy is 0.5 / 1 / 1.5 weeks' pay per full year (by age band under 22 / 22–40 / 41+), capped at 20 years, with a week's pay capped at £751 (a maximum of £22,530). The first £30,000 is tax-free, and you also have rights to notice and consultation.