STARTING YOUR FIRST JOB

Entering the world of work is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming. A new environment, new people, and so much new information to process!
Entering the world of work is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming. A new environment, new people, and so much new information to process! In all of this, finding time to run through and understand your employment rights and responsibilities is time well spent.
This simple guide should help you understand your employment rights and responsibilities. It lists the basics, outlines the rights specifically for apprenticeships, and points you to sources of more in-depth information.
Five fundamental entitlements
1. Employment contract
This is a fundamental entitlement. Any respectable employer will issue you with written documentation outlining what you can expect of each other.
A job description isn’t a legal requirement, even though most employers use them. However, you are entitled to a contract, a ‘written statement of employment particulars’. It should lay out your job title, pay rate, hours you will work and details of any entitlement to time off.
You should get these details in a document on or before your first day on the job. This is also an opportunity to ask your employer about anything unclear.
2. Minimum wage
Your age will determine the National Minimum Wage level to which you are entitled. This amount may change if the government sets a new amount or, better still, if you get a promotion or have a birthday!
The National Minimum Wage is lower for apprentices under the age of 19. This lower rate can also apply if you are in the first year of your apprenticeship scheme. Check the present amounts on the UK Government website or ask your boss to confirm your hourly rate or salary equivalent. Some good news: many firms pay more than the apprenticeship rate.
Your employer must issue or give you access to a payslip by payday. If they apply, it will detail earnings and deductions, such as tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and student loan repayments.
You can check the current National Minimum Wage and minimum apprenticeship wage on Check Your Wage, the Government’s campaign website. This page also provides instructions on what to do if you think you are not being paid the minimum wage for your age.
3. Holiday pay
Every employee in the country, including apprentices, is entitled to a minimum of 5.6 weeks of paid holiday yearly. This applies whether you work full-time, part-time, or have irregular hours. If you aren’t full-time, it will be worked out proportionally, known as ‘pro rata’.
Employers can include bank holidays as part of this entitlement, meaning the bank holiday may not be an extra day off. It’s a good idea to check your contract for specifics, as some employers might offer more generous leave policies.
4. Working hours
Employees aged 16-17 have restricted working hours. You can only work up to 8 hours each day at this age. And you can only work up to 40 hours each week.
For everyone else, workers are still protected. You can work up to 48 hours a week. If your average is more than this you need to have been given the opportunity to agree to this.
5. Your protection
You have a right to feel safe at work. This includes working in hygienic facilities and using machinery that is in good working order. If you have concerns, consider raising them with your line manager. For further support, unions or third-party organisations like Acas can help.
Discrimination based on characteristics such as age, race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability is illegal. If you suspect unfair treatment, familiarise yourself with your company’s grievance process or seek advice from employment rights organisations.
Apprenticeships — key differences
Apprenticeships come with specific rules and expectations. To be classified as an apprentice, your employer and training provider will enter into a formal agreement with you. This is separate from your particulars of employment, and it will set out:
- The training you will undertake
- The number of hours on off-the-job training
- The timeframe of the apprenticeship
- The specific qualification and apprenticeship route you are enrolled on
Without this agreement, you should be paid the regular National Minimum Wage, not the lower apprenticeship rate.
As an apprentice, you are entitled to all the same working conditions as your non-apprentice colleagues. This includes holiday pay, sick leave, and a safe working environment.
Remember that your employer is not obliged to offer you a job at the end of your apprenticeship. However, most apprentices secure a full-time, permanent role with their existing employer. Boost your chances by working hard, developing good working relationships, seeking feedback, and being proactive at work.
Your side of the bargain
As an employee or apprentice, you also have responsibilities. Turning up on time, completing your job to the best of your ability and respecting policies and colleagues are ways to fulfil your end of the bargain! Stick to this, and you’ll build a positive reputation in the workplace. These simple principles can lay the foundation for your future career.
If something feels wrong
If you experience an issue such as not receiving your payslip, you don’t feel safe at work, or think you are being underpaid, you must query it. If you are in a new job or your first job, you may not feel confident or secure enough to do this.
All apprentices have a workplace mentor, so they might be the best person to approach in the first instance. But if you really can’t raise it with somebody at work, you have options. Organisations like ACAS or Citizen’s Advice offer free guidance. Joining a union can provide support in complex situations.
Final thoughts
Starting a new job— as an employee or apprentice—is an important step. Understand your rights and responsibilities early on, and you pave the way for a productive, fair, and fulfilling career.
To learn more about employment rights or to seek professional advice, explore trusted resources like the Acas website or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.