Understanding Employment Law

October 18, 2024
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Employment law is relevant to everyone in all types of workplaces, including full and part-time workers, managers, employers and those in trade unions. Everybody has rights relating to their employment, working conditions and safety, so it’s important that everyone in the workplace has a good understanding of what employment law is and why it’s needed. In this article, we’ll help you understand more about employment law and why it’s an essential part of employee relations in your organisation.

What is Employment Law?

Employment law is an umbrella term given to the UK legislation that governs employer-employee relations. Collectively, these laws state what employers can ask of their workers and what workers’ rights are. Employment law ensures that working relationships and working conditions are fair and safe, in all situations.

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Employment law covers many different aspects of work, including:

It’s important to remember that employment laws change regularly, so always check current guidance if an issue arises within your organisation to ensure you’re up-to-date with the latest procedures in each area of employment law.

Why Do We Need Employment Law?

We need employment law in the workplace to ensure workers are protected from unfair practices, receive the benefits they’re entitled to and are kept safe in the workplace.

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Without employment laws in place, workers would be unable to address problems or unfair treatment, as these laws give employees legal protection and a legal means of resolving unfair situations regarding their employer.

Employment law ensures organisations operate fairly and safely in all areas of business, from hiring and onboarding through to leave and dismissal.

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Need to Understand More?

Our Employment Law Training course teaches you how to achieve best practice in all areas of a worker’s employment.

Employment Law Examples

Below are some examples of legislation that falls under the category of ‘employment law’. Note that these employment law examples are not exhaustive and there are many other relevant laws, acts and guidance documents that businesses must refer to.

  • The Equality Act 2010 gives workers protection against discrimination, harassment and victimisation. It refers to nine ‘protected characteristics’ and helps to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion rights in the workplace.
  • The Employment Rights Act 1996 outlines employees’ rights in regards to redundancy and redundancy pay, notice periods, dismissal and leave.
  • The Worker Protection Act 2023 requires employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace by putting ‘reasonable steps’ in place to discourage, prevent and manage sexual harassment should it occur.
  • The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 sets out the lowest pay that an employee is entitled to based on their age. The National Minimum Wage changes every year to take into account inflation.
  • Equal pay law, covered in the Equality Act 2010, states that men and women are legally entitled to receive the same pay for the same or equivalent work
  • The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. Regulations 1999 explain the rights of employees in regards to time off work for family-related leave.
  • Statutory annual leave, set by the Government, states the amount of paid leave that employees are entitled to each year. For most employees, this is 5.6 weeks.
A group of employees at work

You can find more information on specific human resources and employee relations topics in our range of Human Resources Articles, or take a look at our online Business Essentials training courses to gain more in-depth knowledge of employment law.

Employment law is relevant to every workplace and gives all workers, at all levels, legal protection against unfair or unsafe working practices. Employment law is needed to ensure everyone is treated fairly and equally. It promotes healthy employer-employee relations and gives workers confidence to stand up for their rights in all aspects of business, from recruitment to contract termination.

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Business Law and Compliance