Worker vs Employee Status
Employment status determines what rights and protections you are entitled to. Most people are either employees or workers (sometimes called limb (b) workers) — and some are genuinely self-employed. The distinction matters because your rights differ significantly.
| Feature | Employee | Worker | Self-Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unfair dismissal protection | Yes (after 2 years) | ||
| National Minimum Wage | |||
| Statutory holiday pay | Yes — 5.6 weeks | Yes — 5.6 weeks | |
| Statutory sick pay | |||
| Auto-enrolment pension | Yes (if qualifying earnings) | ||
| Redundancy pay | Yes (after 2 years) |
Employment status is determined by the real nature of the working relationship, not what the contract says. If you think your status has been incorrectly labelled, you can make a claim to an Employment Tribunal or contact Acas.
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