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The Employment Rights Act introduces major reforms to UK employment law, with changes being implemented in stages from December 2025 through to 2027.

Employment Rights Act

I am an employee

Issue date

28 Aug 2000

You are likely be an EMPLOYEE if many or most of the following apply to you:

You are expected to attend work regularly

You expect your employer to provide you with regular hours or work to do

You expect to be paid for the work that you do

You are expected to carry out your work yourself (i.e. you would not be allowed to ask a friend or family member to do it for you)

You would not be allowed to refuse to work or refuse to come to work

Your employer is in charge of how, when and where you work

Your employer pays taxes and National Insurance out of your wages

Your employer provides your tools, equipment, facilities, uniform etc.

You have a written contract of employment

Note: It can be difficult to know what kind of worker you are, eg. some workers are given inaccurate contracts which say they are self-employed when they are not. You should ask for help from a trade union official if you are not sure about your employment status.

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