If you are employed for over eight hours a week or more, in a position that lasts for more than one

month, your employer is obliged by law to issue you with written terms and conditions or a contract of

employment.

You may find that your terms and conditions of employment are written in different places, for example

in your letter of employment, your job description or a trade union agreement. It is important that you

keep any letters or papers given to you by your employer in a safe place.

Your rights and your employer's rights are also affected by any agreements that a trade union has made

with the employer and by UK law, such as health and safety, pay, race, disability and sex discrimination.

If you intend to carry out work for an employer that is less than eight hours a week and have not been

given a contract, you still have rights under UK law.

Wages

All workers in the UK are legally entitled* to be paid the

national minimum wage per hour for the work that they do.

The minimum wage for each age group is:

• Age 16 - 17: £3.57

• Age 18 - 21:  £4.83 (development rate)**

• Age 22 and over: £5.80

*Apprentices under the age of 19 are not entitled to the

minimum wage.

**If you are receiving accredited training during the first six months of your new employment, you may only be

paid the development rate.

From October 2010, National Minimum Wage rates will increase from:  

• £5.80 to £5.93 an hour for workers aged 21 and over  

• £4.83 to £4.92 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20  

• £3.57 to £3.64 an hour for workers aged 16 to 17

Deductions

Employers are legally allowed to make deductions from your wages for Income Tax, Pay as You

Earn (PAYE) and National Insurance contributions. Any other deductions made such as contributions

to pension schemes have to be agreed with you first.

If you believe you aren't receiving the minimum wage you can contact the DTI National Minimum Wage

Helpline on 0845 6000 678.