Your rights as a PA

If you're working as a Personal Assistant, it's important to know what your employment status is—because it affects your pay, time off, and job security. There are three main types:

• Employee – You work regular hours, your boss tells you what to do and how to do it, and you can’t send someone else to do your job. You get the most rights, like paid holidays, sick pay, maternity or paternity leave, and protection if you’re made redundant.

• Worker – Your job is more casual, with no guaranteed hours, and you can choose when to work. You still get some key rights like minimum wage, paid holidays, and protection from discrimination.

• Self-employed – You’re your own boss. You decide how and when you work, can work for different people, and send someone else to do the job if needed. You don’t get holiday pay or sick pay, but you do have some legal protections.

Even if your contract says you’re self-employed, the way you actually work might mean you’re legally a worker or employee. For Personal Assistants—especially those working in someone’s home—it’s really important to check this, because your rights depend on it.

To find out more about your rights, visit the PA Handbook.

Your responsibilities as a PA will be outlined in your contract of employment and job description. It is your employer’s responsibility to decide how they want you to assist them, and you should follow their guidance and direction. 

There are other general expectations of PAs that are outlined in national standards called the Health and Social Care Standards. These Standards have been written to make sure that individuals accessing care and support are treated with respect, dignity, and have their human rights upheld. Reading the Health and Social Care standards will give you an idea of the expectations you should be working to. 

As a PA, you may deal with an adult or child who is at risk of harm. This means you also have a responsibility to report any concerns you may have about someone who has been a victim of harm or is at risk of harm.

For any safeguarding concerns regarding a supported person, you have a duty to report your concerns.

If a child or adult is in immediate danger you should call 999.   Each local authority has a safeguarding department.

In the areas we work they can be contacted as follows:

• Glasgow: 0141 287 0555
• SLC: 03031231008
• NLC: call local social work office or 0800 121 4114.
• EDC: Children 0141 777 3000 Adults 0141 355 2200