A to Z of Employment - Entries for N
National Minimum Wage
See Minimum Wage
Nationality – discrimination on grounds off
See Discrimination
Night Working
A night worker's average normal hours of work must not exceed eight hours for each 24-hour period. Except in certain specific circumstances young workers cannot work between the hours of 10pm - 6am or 11pm - 7am. Night workers must have the opportunity of free health assessment before taking up night work and at regular intervals. Whenever possible a night worker should be transferred to suitable day work if a medical practitioner confirms to the employer that they are suffering health problems connected with doing night work.
Normal Retirement Age
See Retirement
Notice Rights
Both the employer and employee are normally entitled to a minimum period of notice of termination of employment.
After one month's employment, an employee must give at least one week's notice; this minimum is unaffected by longer service.
However an employer must give an employee:
- at least one week's notice after one month's employment
- at least two weeks after two years
- at least three weeks after three years and so on up to 12 weeks after 12 years or more.
However, the employer or the employee will be entitled to a longer period of notice than the statutory minimum if this is provided for in the contract of employment.
Most employees, subject to certain conditions, are entitled to payment during the statutory notice period. Employees can waive their right to notice or to payment in lieu of notice. Employers can also waive their own right to notice.
DEL ER Booklet 15 Rights to notice and reasons for dismissal