Facts & Figures

Qualifying Period Compensation Limits Time Limit to Bring Claim
Unfair Dismissal 1 year Max: £72,300 3 months from Effective Date of Termination
Redundancy 2 years Max: £12,900 6 months from EDT
Breach of Contract None Tribunal: £25,000
County /High Court: No limit
3 months from EDT
6 years from breach


Minimum Statutory Notice Given By An Employer – section 86(1) Employment Rights Act 1996

Period of Continuous Employment Statutory Minimum Notice
Less than 2 years (but at least 1 month) 1 week
Between 2-3 years 2 weeks
Between 3-4 years 3 weeks
Between 4-5 years 4 weeks
Between 5-6 years 5 weeks
Between 6-7 years 6 weeks
Between 7-8 years 7 weeks
Between 8-9 years 8 weeks
Between 9-10 years 9 weeks
Between 10-11 years 10 weeks
Between 11-12 years 11 weeks
12 years or more 12 weeks


Minimum Statutory Notice Given By An Employee – section 86(2) Employment Rights Act 1996

Period of Continuous Employment Statutory Minimum Notice
At least one month At least one week


Calculating Redundancy Pay
One-and-a-half weeks pay Each year of employment in which the employee is aged 41 and above
One weeks pay Each year of employment in which the employee is aged 22 to 40
Half a weeks pay Each year of employment in which the employee is aged 21 years and under
Maximum weekly pay £400 per week (for dismissals prior to 1st February 2012), or £430 (for dismissals on or after 1st February 2012)
Maximum number of years Last 20 worked


Qualifying Period Rate Notice
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before expected week of childbirth; and average earnings at or above £102 p/w 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before expected week of childbirth; and average earnings at or above £102 p/w All employees have right to 26 weeks ordinary maternity leave followed immediately by 26 weeks additional maternity leave SMP is paid for 39 weeks
Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) 26 weeks by the end of the week notified of match for adoption; and average earnings at or above £102 p/w 39 weeks at £128.73 or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower Employees with 26 weeks continuous service by week notified of match for adoption entitled to 26 weeks ordinary adoption leave followed immediately by 26 weeks additional adoption leave
Statutory Paternity Pay 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week of birth, or by the end of the week notified of match for adoption; and average earnings at or above £102 p/w Ordinary paternity pay of 1 or 2 consecutive weeks at £128.73 or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower.

Additional paternity pay of up to 19 weeks and one day at £128.73 – or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower – if the child is due or the employee is notified of match for adoption on or after 3rd April 2011
Ordinary paternity leave to be completed within 56 days of birth or adoptive placement.

Additional paternity leave to be completed between 20 weeks and 12 months after birth or adoptive placement
Parental Leave 1 year 13 weeks unpaid leave (18 weeks if the child is disabled) in respect of children under the age of 5 (18 if disabled), and adopted children in the first 5 years after adoption or until their 18th birthday, whichever occurs sooner Male/female employees with parental responsibility for a child qualify

Leave to be taken in one week blocks (can be taken one day at a time or in multiples if child is disabled)

Leave limited to 4 weeks per annum

Right available to each parent in respect of each child
Statutory Sick Pay None
Average earnings must be at or above £102 p/w
£81.60 p/w
Paid Annual Leave None 5.6 weeks per year, including bank holidays


National Minimum Wage
Adult Rate £6.08
18—20 year olds £4.98
16—17 year olds £3.68