Guides › Work and Employment › No Contract? Your Right to a Written Statement From Day One
No Contract? Your Right to A Written Statement from Day One
You do not need a signed contract to have employment rights, but employees and workers must be given a written statement of their main terms. The main part, called the principal statement, must be given on your first day. The rest must be given within 2 months, and any changes must be confirmed in writing within one month.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
What You Must Be Given
Principal Statement (Day One)
Employer and your name, job title, start date, pay and how often, hours and days, holiday, place of work, how long the job lasts, probation, other benefits and required training. Sick pay, other paid leave and notice periods must also be covered, possibly in a separate document you can easily access. source
Within 2 Months
Pensions, collective agreements, other training rights, and disciplinary and grievance procedures. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- Day onePrincipal statement dueFor employees and workers
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Ask your employer in writing for your written statement.
Step 2 of 4
Keep job adverts, messages and payslips that show your terms.
Step 3 of 4
Raise a grievance if it is not provided.
Step 4 of 4
Get advice from Acas.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Acas Helpline
Free and confidential. 0300 123 1100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Citizens Advice or Your Trade Union
Free help to check your case and work out what you are owed.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Rules here are for England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own employment law, the Labour Relations Agency and industrial tribunals; see nidirect.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 15 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions/written-statement-of-employment-particulars Checked 15 October 2026
- acas.org.uk/contact Checked 8 October 2026