Glossary · UK
What is Written Statement of Employment Particulars?
A legally required document setting out the core terms of a job — pay, hours, holiday and notice — which employers must give to employees and workers from their first day of employment.
Full Definition
A written statement of employment particulars is a legal document that employers in the UK must provide to employees and workers no later than their first day of employment, setting out the core terms of the job, including the names of the employer and employee, the job title or a brief description of the work, the start date, pay and how often it is paid, hours of work, holiday entitlement, sick pay and pension arrangements, notice periods on both sides, and details of any probationary period and disciplinary or grievance procedures. Since 6 April 2020, this right to a "day one" written statement was extended from employees only to workers as well, and the range of required information was expanded to include additional detail such as specific days and times of work if they vary, and details of any other paid leave (for example family-related leave beyond the statutory minimum). The written statement does not have to be a single standalone document -- some of the required information can be included in the offer letter, employment contract, or an accessible staff handbook referred to in the contract, provided the employee or worker can access it -- but the core terms must be set out clearly, in writing, and provided from day one rather than being delayed until after the employment starts. If an employer fails to provide a written statement, or provides an incomplete one, and the employee or worker brings another type of successful employment tribunal claim (for example unfair dismissal) at the same time, the tribunal can award an additional payment of two to four weeks' pay purely for the missing or defective written statement.