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Employment status (worker, employee, self-employed, director or contractor) affects employment rights and employer responsibilities in the workplace

• Overview

  In employment law a person’s employment status helps determine: their…

• Worker

  A person is generally classed as a ‘worker’ if: they have a contract or…

• Employee

  An employee is someone who works under an employment contract. A person…

• Employee shareholders

  An employee shareholder is someone who works under an employment contract…

• Self-employed and contractor

  A person is self-employed if they run their business for themselves and…

• Director

  Company directors run limited companies on behalf of shareholders.…

• Office holder

  A person who’s been appointed to a position by a company or organisation…

• Legal decisions on employment status

  A court or employment tribunal (known as an industrial tribunal in…

Apply for British citizenship if you have a British parent - who's eligible, fees and how to apply

• Who can apply

  You may be eligible for British citizenship if you have a British parent.…

• You were born on or after 1 July 2006

  You’re automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK and…

• You were born between 1983 and June 2006

  You’re automatically a British citizen if you were born outside the UK and…

• You were born before 1983

  You may automatically be a British citizen if you were born before 1…

• After you've applied

  You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months - some applications can take…

Recognised bodies, listed bodies, recognised universities, accredited higher learning institutions, bogus degrees

• Overview

  You can check if a degree you’re studying for is officially recognised. If…

• Recognised bodies in Wales

  Recognised bodies are higher learning institutions that can award degrees.…

• Recognised awards

  Certain bodies or institutions can award their own unique degrees. These…

If your employer is 'insolvent' this means it cannot pay its debts - your rights if this happens, claiming money owed to you, where to get advice

Apply for indefinite leave to remain if you have an Innovator Founder or Innovator visa - fees, who's eligible, how to apply.

Apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa to live and work in the UK if you’re from a participating country - fees, eligibility, how to apply.

Make a victim personal statement to the Parole Board - who can make one, how to write it, and what happens at a parole hearing

Joining a union and getting recognition for collective bargaining and agreements - legal rules about membership, union reps and your rights

How to avoid being involved in tax avoidance schemes, if you are moved between umbrella companies as an agency worker or contractor.

• Updated: 13 June 2025

When a business changes owner, employees could be protected under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) regulations (TUPE) - types of transfers, your rights, contracts, redundancy, where to get help