If you have been injured at work, it can be difficult to know where to turn. Many people do not know their rights, and as a result, they can find themselves out of pocket and struggling to get by. In this article, we will discuss some of the most important rights that workers have in the event of an accident at work. We will also provide some tips on how to claim these rights if you have been injured. Keep reading for more information.
Being paid the National Minimum Wage
After you have a work-related accident, the first thing you should do is check if you are being paid the National Minimum Wage. If you are not, then you may be entitled to back pay. You can use the online tool on the government website to calculate how much you should be paid. Also, you can consult with medical, legal and financial services and make sure you get what you deserve. Often, people are not aware of this right, and as a result, they do not receive the pay that they are entitled to. Many times, companies will try to take advantage of this by underpaying their employees. So, if you have been injured at work, make sure to check that you are being paid the National Minimum Wage.
Being protected from unlawful deductions from your pay
After you have been injured at work, your employer may try to make deductions from your pay. This is unlawful, and you should not stand for it. If your employer tries to do this, you should speak to a solicitor who can help you claim back the money that has been unlawfully deducted. You should speak to a solicitor as soon as possible after the deductions have been made. This way, you will have a better chance of getting your money back.
Having the statutory minimum holiday allowance
After you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to take paid leave. You are entitled to the statutory minimum holiday allowance, which is 28 days per year. This can be increased if your contract of employment states that you are entitled to more. Depending on your injury, you may be able to take this leave as sick leave. Some companies have their policies on how much sick leave you are entitled to, so it is worth checking your contract of employment.
Being protected from having to work more than 48 hours on average per week
If you are working more than 48 hours on average per week, you may be entitled to overtime pay. If you had an accident at work and your employer is trying to make your work more than 48 hours per week, you should speak to a solicitor about claiming overtime pay. You can also check your employment contract to see if it states how many hours you are contracted to work.
Being entitled to receive Statutory sick pay
If you have been injured at work and are unable to work, you may be entitled to Statutory sick pay. This is a payment from the government that can help you while you are off work. You can claim statutory sick pay if you have been off work for more than four days in a row. In some cases, you may be able to claim backdated pay if you have been off work for a longer period. You should speak to a solicitor about this.
Having your health and safety at work protected
After you have been injured at work, you should check that your employer has the proper health and safety procedures in place. If they do not, you may be able to claim them. You should also check that your workplace is safe and that there are no hazards that could cause you to have an accident. According to the law, your employer has to protect your health and safety at work. Some companies try to get around this by having employees sign waivers. These waivers are not legally binding, and you should not sign them. Beware of any company that asks you to sign a waiver.
Being protected from unfair dismissal
If you have been injured at work and your employer is trying to dismiss you, this may be unfair dismissal. You may be able to claim compensation from your employer if they have unfairly dismissed you. You should speak to a solicitor about this as soon as possible after you have been dismissed. Keep in mind that there are time limits for making a claim, so it is important to act quickly.
When you have been injured at work, it can be tricky to know what to do and where to turn. Hopefully, this article has given you some guidance on what to do next. If you have any further questions, please speak to a solicitor who can help you with your specific case. Remember, you have rights and you should not hesitate to assert them. After all, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries and to be treated fairly by your employer. Good luck!
