The United Kingdom has a well-developed system of employment rights and benefits for workers, including expats. In this article, we will explore the working hours, employment rights, and benefits that workers are entitled to in the United Kingdom, including information on pensions and retirement age.
Working hours in the United Kingdom
The standard working week in the United Kingdom is 40 hours, although many workers work longer hours than this. The working hours for a particular job will depend on the industry and the employer. The working week is typically Monday to Friday, although many businesses also operate on Saturdays.
Employment rights and benefits in the United Kingdom
Workers in the United Kingdom are entitled to a range of employment rights and benefits, including:
The National Minimum Wage
All workers in the United Kingdom are entitled to the National Minimum Wage, which is the minimum amount that an employer must pay a worker for each hour of work. The current National Minimum Wage rates are:
- £8.91 per hour for workers aged 23 and over
- £8.36 per hour for workers aged 21 to 22
- £6.56 per hour for workers aged 18 to 20
- £4.62 per hour for workers under 18
- £4.30 per hour for apprentices aged under 19 or in the first year of their apprenticeship
Paid holidays
All workers in the United Kingdom are entitled to paid holidays, which must be a minimum of 5.6 weeks per year.
Sick pay
Workers in the United Kingdom are entitled to statutory sick pay if they are too ill to work. The current rate of statutory sick pay is £96.35 per week.
Maternity and paternity leave
Workers in the United Kingdom are entitled to maternity and paternity leave if they have a child. Maternity leave is currently 52 weeks, while paternity leave is two weeks.
Pensions
Workers in the United Kingdom are entitled to a pension, which is a form of retirement savings. The pension system in the United Kingdom is made up of several different types of pensions, including:
- State Pension: This is a basic pension paid by the government to all eligible workers who reach the state pension age.
- Workplace pension: This is a pension scheme set up by an employer for their employees. Employers must offer a workplace pension scheme to all eligible employees and contribute to it.
- Personal pension: This is a pension scheme set up by an individual for their own retirement savings.
Retirement age in the United Kingdom
The retirement age in the United Kingdom is currently 66 for both men and women. However, this is set to increase to 67 by 2028 and 68 by 2046. Workers in the United Kingdom can choose to retire earlier than the state pension age if they have enough savings or pension income to support themselves.
Workers in the United Kingdom are entitled to a range of employment rights and benefits, including the National Minimum Wage, paid holidays, sick pay, and maternity and paternity leave. The pension system in the United Kingdom is made up of several different types of pensions, including the State Pension, workplace pensions, and personal pensions. The retirement age in the United Kingdom is currently 66, but is set to increase in the coming years.
