My employer hasn't given me a written statement of terms. Is this required?

2 months

Deadline to receive statement

1996

Year the law was passed

Section 1

Relevant statute section

All workers

Who it applies to

The Short Answer

Yes, your employer must give you a written statement of your main terms and conditions of employment within two months of starting work.

What the Law Says

The Employment Rights Act 1996 sets out your legal right to receive a written statement of your employment terms — often called a 'section 1 statement'. This is not just good practice: it’s a statutory requirement.

Your employer must give you a written statement of your main terms and conditions of employment within two months of the start of your employment. This applies to all employees and workers in the UK, regardless of how many hours you work or whether your contract is full-time, part-time, or casual.

The statement must include key details such as your name and employer’s name, job title or description, start date, pay (including frequency and method), hours of work, holiday entitlement, notice periods, and information about sick pay, pensions, and disciplinary procedures.

Statutory Text
Every employee shall have the right to receive from his employer, not later than two months after the beginning of his employment, a written statement of certain particulars of the employment.
— Employment Rights Act 1996, s. 1 — Right to written statement of particulars

What to Do

Ask your employer in writing for your section 1 statement — keep a copy of your request.

If they still don’t provide it within a reasonable time (e.g., 7–14 days), raise it informally with HR or your manager.

If unresolved, you can make a claim to an employment tribunal — there’s no minimum service requirement for this claim.

You must file the tribunal claim within three months less one day of the date your employment ended (if applicable) or from when the failure occurred.

Sources

statuteEmployment Rights Act 1996, s. 1 — Right to written statement of particulars

Same Question, Other Jurisdictions

Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.