Working & building
a career in Britain
Clear, expert guides on every aspect of working in the UK — employment rights, pay, tax, self-employment and visa work rules. Written by specialists, sourced from GOV.UK and HMRC.
Information only — not employment or legal advice. All guides explain UK employment law and tax rules based on GOV.UK and HMRC guidance and cannot be relied upon for your specific situation. For individual advice on employment rights, tax or visa work conditions, consult a regulated professional. Find a specialist →
The UK labour market employs 34.3 million people and is one of the largest in Europe. For expats and new arrivals, navigating employment rights, tax obligations, pay benchmarks and visa work restrictions can be complex — especially with the Employment Rights Act 2025 introducing significant staged changes through 2026 and 2027.
This section covers everything from writing a UK-style CV and finding your first role, to understanding your payslip, registering as self-employed, getting your overseas qualifications recognised, and knowing exactly what you can and cannot do on your visa. All content is verified against GOV.UK, HMRC and ACAS guidance.
Unsure whether you are classed as an employee, worker or self-employed? Use the status tool below — your employment status affects your tax, your rights and what you can claim.
Key 2026 Employment Changes
Choose your work topic
Nine categories covering every aspect of working life in the UK — from your first job search to self-employment, pensions and your rights as a visa holder.
Finding a Job
UK job market overview, writing a British CV, right to work checks, recruitment agencies, major job boards and what to expect from UK interviews.
Contracts & Employment Rights
Employment status, contracts, working hours, zero-hours contracts and your statutory rights under the Employment Rights Act 2025 — including major changes staged through 2026–27.
Pay, Tax & National Insurance
PAYE, tax codes, National Insurance contributions, the personal allowance, understanding your payslip, self-assessment and what to do when you first start work.
Time Off & Leave
Holiday entitlement (28 days statutory), sick pay, maternity and paternity leave, parental leave, compassionate leave and what changes under the ERA 2025.
Self-Employment
Sole trader vs limited company, registering with HMRC, self-assessment tax returns, IR35 for contractors, invoicing, allowable expenses and finding an accountant.
Pensions & Benefits
Workplace pensions, auto-enrolment, the State Pension for overseas workers, Universal Credit eligibility, Child Benefit and what you can claim as an expat.
Professional Qualifications
Getting your overseas degree or professional qualification recognised in the UK via UK ENIC (formerly NARIC). Regulated professions: medicine, law, engineering, teaching.
UK Salaries by Sector
Median UK salary benchmarks by industry and region based on ONS ASHE data. London weighting, average earnings by experience level and real take-home pay breakdowns.
Working on a Visa
What you can and cannot do on each visa type. Changing employers on a Skilled Worker Visa, student work hour limits, sponsor licence changes and switching to another route.
Not sure what type of worker you are?
Your employment status determines your tax obligations, your rights and what you can claim. Answer two questions for a starting point.
Guidance only. For a definitive answer use HMRC's Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool on GOV.UK.
Start with our most important guides
Latest rule changes
UK employment law and tax rules update regularly. Recent changes that may affect your pay, rights or status.
Day-one sick pay and paternity leave rights take effect
From 6 April 2026 Statutory Sick Pay is payable from day one of absence and paternity leave becomes a day-one right for all employees.
National Living Wage rises to £12.71 per hour
The NLW for workers aged 21 and over increases to £12.71/hr from 1 April 2026. The 18–20 rate rises to £10.85/hr and the under-18/apprentice rate to £8.00/hr.
Zero-hours contract reform consultation closes April 2026
Workers on zero-hours contracts will gain the right to a contract reflecting regularly worked hours. Employers must provide reasonable notice of shift changes or pay compensation.
Unfair dismissal qualifying period cut from 2 years to 6 months
From January 2027 employees will gain unfair dismissal protection after just 6 months of employment — down from the current 2-year qualifying period.
Need professional help?
Our directory connects you with employment lawyers, HR consultants, tax advisers and career specialists.
Working in the UK FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about employment, pay, tax and rights in the UK.
These answers are for general guidance only. For advice on your specific situation please consult a regulated employment or tax specialist.
Stay ahead of employment law changes
UK employment rights and tax rules are changing significantly in 2026 and 2027. Get notified when something changes that could affect your pay, rights or status.