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Employment

Everyone who works for an employer in Northern Ireland has guaranteed statutory rights whether you work full or part time. These employment rights relate to the minimum wage, holiday pay, statutory sick pay and health and safety regulations.

Rights about maternity and paternity leave, disciplinary, redundancy and dismissal apply to permanent staff. The longer you work continuously on a contract for the same employer, the more rights you obtain.

Usually the only time you will need to invoke these rights is when a dispute arises between you and your employer.

An employer and an employee each have responsibilities and obligations to fulfil which ensures the working relationship is productive. Once you begin a job with an employer, a contract is in place, either spoken or written.

An employer undertakes to pay you a regular amount, on the understanding that you carry out work during set hours on agreed days. You should ask your employer for a written job contract which defines your working terms and conditions, including sick and holiday pay. If there is a performance related probationary period, the employer should indicate the date when your work will be reviewed and how soon you will learn the outcome of the review.

There are strict anti-discrimination laws which all employers and employees must observe. There are also statutory regulations on health and safety, including no smoking laws, which apply to employers and employees in the workplace.

If you need further information about employment rights and law, the Citizens Advice Bureau or Labour Relations Agency will help answer your questions.