Labour Department Publishes the Employment Rights Standard

The Labour Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network today published the Employment Rights Standard. The Standard sets out the minimum terms on which the staff of member organisations are employed within the Network. It applies from 6 September 2026 to every contract of employment with a member organisation, whether the contract was made before or after that date, and a contract term that offers less than the Standard has no effect.

The Standard provides for a written statement of terms within seven days of starting work, payment of wages in full on the agreed date with an itemised statement, a maximum average working week of 48 hours, daily and weekly rest, 25 days of annual leave in addition to designated Network holidays, paid sick leave, parental leave, minimum periods of notice, equal treatment, the freedom to join a staff association and protection for staff who report a concern to the Department.

Member organisations have until Monday 5 October 2026 to issue written statements to staff engaged before establishment. The Department will check compliance with the Standard during its inspection programme and will accept complaints from staff through the Dispute Resolution Service from 14 September 2026.

The full Standard, with explanatory notes, is published on the Employment Rights page of this site, and the limits on working time and leave entitlements on the Working Time and Leave page.