Q. Once terms and conditions have been agreed, can an employer make subsequent changes to the employment contract without the employee’s consent?

A. No, not without the risk of a complaint.

Q. If an employee resigns after an employer unilaterally changes their hours or holiday, could they complain to an Employment Tribunal?

A. Yes, for breach of the contract.

Q. How long is the ordinary maternity leave entitlement?

A. 26 weeks.

Q. Does a woman have to work for a set period of time before she is entitled to ordinary maternity leave.

A. No, ordinary maternity leave is available immediately upon starting a job.

Q. How long is the ordinary paternity leave entitlement?

A. Two weeks.

Q. How many weeks are people entitled to take as statutory holiday leave each year?

A. Four weeks, including bank holidays.

Q. What is the minimum wage for an 18 year-old?

A. £3.80 increasing to £4.10 in October 2004.

Q. Is an employee on a fixed term contract generally entitled to the same pay and benefits as a permanent member of staff?

A. Yes.

Q. Is a fixed term worker entitled to paid holiday?

A. Yes.

Q. Are women who work part-time entitled to the same maternity leave as those who work full time?

A. Yes.

Q. Are employees who ask for it entitled to flexible working?

A. No – the statutory right applies to the request, not the employer’s automatic agreement.

Q. Can you make someone redundant if they are not doing their job well?

A. No – it is a capability issue and not to be confused with selection for redundancy.

Q. Does equal pay legislation apply only to male versus female pay disputes rather than same sex pay disputes?

A. Yes, it does.