Quick answers, in plain English.

Yes, since 6 April 2026. Statutory Sick Pay is paid from the first day of sickness absence, and there is no longer a minimum earnings level to qualify.

You get £123.25 a week or 80% of your normal weekly earnings, whichever is lower, for up to 28 weeks. Your contract may give you more.

From 1 April 2026: £12.71 an hour if you're 21 or over (the National Living Wage), £10.85 if you're 18 to 20, and £8.00 if you're 16 or 17 or an apprentice in your first year.

Most workers get 5.6 weeks of paid holiday a year. That's 28 days if you work five days a week, and it can include bank holidays. Part time workers get the same number of weeks, worked out on their pattern.

By law you must give at least one week once you've worked for a month. Your employer must give you one week after a month, then one week for each full year you've worked, up to 12 weeks. Your contract can set longer notice.

Yes, from your first day. You can make two statutory requests in any 12 months, and your employer must decide within two months, talk to you before refusing, and only refuse for a reason set out in law.

Yes, for babies born or placed for adoption on or after 6 April 2026. Statutory Paternity Pay still needs 26 weeks' service by the 15th week before the baby is due. Statutory family pay is £194.32 a week or 90% of your average earnings, whichever is lower.

Up to 18 weeks of unpaid leave for each child, up to their 18th birthday, usually taken in blocks of a week and no more than four weeks a year per child. Since 6 April 2026 it's a day one right.

Up to 52 weeks of maternity leave. Statutory Maternity Pay lasts up to 39 weeks: 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, then £194.32 a week or 90%, whichever is lower. You need 26 weeks' service by the 15th week before your due date to qualify for pay.

No, but your employer can only make reasonable adjustments for something they know about, or could reasonably be expected to know about. Employers must make reasonable adjustments to remove disadvantages disabled workers face.

If you work more than six hours a day, you're entitled to an uninterrupted 20 minute rest break. Workers aged under 18 get 30 minutes after four and a half hours.

Yes. You're entitled to a written statement of the main terms of your job, such as pay, hours and holiday, from your first day. You're also entitled to an itemised payslip.

Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers. Since 6 April 2026, telling your employer about sexual harassment can count as whistleblowing, which gives you extra protection.

For most claims you currently need two years' service. Some claims, such as dismissal for whistleblowing, pregnancy or asserting a statutory right, apply from day one. The Employment Rights Act 2025 is changing the qualifying period, so check Acas for the date that applies to you. Time limits are short, so get advice early.