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What are my entitlements?
Before you make your move to Scotland and begin a new job, there are some facts and legal requirements that you should know.
- Working age
- Office hours
- Earnings
- Entitlements
- Child benefit
- Sick leave
- Holiday leave
- Self-employed
- Maternity leave
- Paternity leave
Working age for men and women in the Scotland (and UK in general) is 16 to 65.
Office hours in the Scotland (and UK in general) are 9am-5pm.
Many companies offer employees 'flexi time' schemes, meaning that with agreement with your employers, you may work flexible working hours.
Salaries and earnings are normally paid directly into your bank account - see How to set up a bank account
Employment in Scotland gives you the right to certain entitlements.
These will vary depending on your reasons for taking leave including how long you have been in your job role. You will receive benefits even if you are in employment.
Child benefit is a tax-free benefit paid to most people with children. You do not need to have paid any national insurance contributions to get Child Benefit. It also does not matter how much money you have coming in, or whether you are employed on not.
If you are employed and are ill for at least four days in a row, your employer must pay you statutory sick pay.
This can continue for up to 28 consecutive weeks. The precise amounts payable depend on your individual circumstances.
Find out more at:
www.dwp.gov.uk
From 1 October 2007, all full and part-time workers in Scotland have had the statutory right to at least 4.8 weeks annual leave (paid holiday).
This is calculated pro rata (in proportion to the number of days you work)
- 24 days paid holiday if you work five days a week
- 14.4 days paid holiday if you work three days a week
This entitlement will increase again to 5.6 weeks from 1 April 2009.
In order to qualify for the right to annual leave you need to be classed as a worker. If you’re self-employed, you have no statutory right to be paid annual leave.
All pregnant employees must be allowed time off work, with pay, to attend antenatal appointments made on the recommendation of a doctor, midwife or health visitor.
If you're working and have a baby, whether you work full or part-time, you have the right to receive Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) for up to 39 weeks provided you meet certain conditions.
If you get SMP, your employer will pay you 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first six weeks, then up to £117.18 for the remaining 33 weeks.
Find out more about maternity leave and pay.
Paternity leave is a leave of absence from work allowed by a father to care for an infant.
If you are a father-to-be you'll be responsible with the mother for bringing up the child. You have the right to paid paternity leave for up to two weeks providing you meet certain conditions.
If your average weekly earnings are £90 or more (before tax), Statutory Paternity Pay is paid for one or two consecutive weeks at £117.18 or 90 per cent of your average weekly earnings if this is less.
Find out more about paternity leave and pay.
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