Charity warns on workers' rights

Citizens Advice said many workers were unaware of their rights

Workers are being denied basic employment rights such as maternity leave, holiday pay and even the minimum wage, Citizens Advice has said.

In a report, the charity claims many workers were unaware of their rights.

It said that as the onus was on workers to claim their rights, it was vital the rights were publicly promoted.

The report recommended an education programme for workers and more support for employers to help them meet their legal obligations to staff.

A Citizens Advice spokesperson said the lack of terms and conditions of employment, which should be provided within three months to an employee starting work, was one of the most frequent problems brought to local Citizens Advice Bureau offices.

The spokesperson said one client had worked for three years and received only one week's holiday pay.

She complained and was then disallowed holiday pay completely.

In another case, a hairdressing salon refused to pay apprentices the minimum wage, even when they turned 19.