Population
67.6M
Currency
Pound Sterling (GBP)
Languages
English
Capital
London
Cost of Living
60.42 (US 69.92)
(US 69.92)
Time (UTC)
UTC + 0
Government
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

Hire in United Kingdom without an entity and fully compliant with local labor laws

The United Kingdom enthralls residents and visitors with stunning landscapes, intriguing history, and international culture.

At approximately 60% of the size of California, the United Kingdom is one of Europe's largest countries and the 80th-largest in the world.

Get to know the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom, commonly known as the UK,  encompasses four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Most of the area has a mild climate, with moderate temperatures and ample rainfall throughout the year. Continuous train and bus services linking all the major cities make exploring or working in various parts of the UK simple. In addition, a well-organized network of highways connects one exciting place to another.

The country's cultural heritage reflects the diversity and significant role of the UK in world affairs for centuries. Each region has its own distinct culture, cuisine, and holiday celebrations. Hire birth rates, longer life spans, and immigration are fueling population growth. And many residents attribute their 99.0% literacy rate to free public education.

The UK's made significant contributions to the global economy, particularly in technology and industry. So it's not surprising recent graduates looking to launch their careers are willing to relocate to the United Kingdom. The wide range of industries, high quality of life in the workplace, and many job prospects are appealing. In addition, the financial and insurance sectors and businesses contribute significantly to the UK's economic growth.

The World Bank classifies United Kingdom as a high-income economy with the following trade agreements and alliances: 

  • ADB - Asian Development Bank
  • Commonwealth of Nations
  • G20 - Group of Twenty
  • G8 - Group of Eight
  • NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization
  • OECD
  • OSZE
  • Schengen Countries
  • UN - United Nations
  • UNESCO
  • WTO - World Trade Organization

“Must know” if you’re hiring in United Kingdom without an employer of record

Entity requirements
Mandatory hiring contracts & clauses
Different compliance risks for full-time vs. contractor employees
Mandatory probationary periods
Allowable working hours & overtime wage laws
Timecard and attendance records
Required employer payroll, labor insurance, and tax payments
Discrimination protection
Notices & termination regulations

Budgeting for United Kingdom employees

Hiring remote United Kingdom professionals is smart and economical, assuming you’re fully compliant with local tax, labor, and wage laws.
Employee Classification–Full-time vs Contractor

Full-time

  • Fixed salary
  • Standard work hours
  • Benefits and paid leave

Contractor

  • Flexible working hours
  • Salary depends on task or project
  • No benefits or paid leave
Employment Contracts

The principal terms to be provided in written employment contracts include:

  • Names of each party
  • Date of employment
  • Date of continuous employment
  • Remuneration and the intervals at which it is paid
  • Work hours
  • Holiday entitlement
  • Benefits;
  • Notice period of termination
  • Job title
  • Place of work
  • Probationary period
  • Any mandatory training
Probation Period

Six months

Standard Working Hours & Overtime
  • Eight hours per day
  • 40-48 hours per week
  • Weekly rest break of 24 hours
  • Daily rest break of 11 hours
Payroll Frequency

Monthly

Wages & Bonuses
  • Minimum monthly wage: $1,828
  • Bonuses depend on employer’s preference

USD equivalent median salaries based on Role:

  • Data Scientist: $56,820
  • Electrical Engineer: $43,445
  • Hardware Engineer: $42,421
  • IT Manager: $65,067
  • Mobile Developer: $53,904
  • Product Manager: $59,931
  • Project Manager: $52,852
  • QA Engineer: $41,854
  • Software Engineer: $55,848
  • System Administrator: $41,977
  • UX Designer: $46,067
  • Web Developer: $42,547
Payroll Taxes & Employer Contributions
  • 3% - 15% National Insurance Rate
  • 20% - 45% Employee Income Tax
Benefits

Health Insurance 

National Health Service (NHS)

  • Publicly funded by taxes
  • Covers visiting a doctor for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment
  • Covers treatment at a hospital if you are unwell or injured
  • Covers emergency help from healthcare professionals working in the ambulance services if you have serious or life-threatening injuries or health problems

Paid leave

Maternity 

  • 52 weeks

Paternity 

  • One to two weeks

Vacation/PTO days

  • Five weeks

Sick Days

  • 28 weeks

Additional Leave

  • Compassionate leave
  • Jury duty leave 
  • Public duties leave
  • Bereavement leave

Additional Benefits

  • Life Assurance
  • Income Protection (Long-Term Disability) GIP
  • Critical Illness Insurance (CIC)
  • Dental Insurance
  • Health Cash Plan
  • Company cars
  • Season Ticket Loan
  • Tax-free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers
  • Bike to Work
  • Gymnasiums

Holidays

The United Kingdom celebrates eight national (public) holidays and multiple observances a year. The most important holidays are:

  • New Year's Day (January 1)
  • Good Friday (March)
  • Easter Monday (April 1)
  • Early May Bank Holiday (May 6)
  • Late May Bank Holiday (May 7)
  • August Bank Holiday (August 26)
  • Christmas Day (December 25)
  • Boxing Day (December 26)
Termination & Severance

Grounds for Termination

Once an employee has been with the company for at least two years, may be dismissed only for a potentially fair reason under statute, on the basis of:

  • Capability
  • Conduct
  • Redundancy
  • Breach of a statutory enactment by the employee

Notice Periods

  • At least one week

Severance Pay

  • Half a week’s pay for each full year for employees under the age of 22
  • One week’s pay for each full year for employees between the ages of 22 to 41 years of age
  • One and half weeks’ pay for each full year for employees over the age of 41

And a few fun facts about the United Kingdom…

  • Nearly half of London’s population (49.5%) speaks at least one other language. 
  • Llanfairpwllgwyngyll-gogerychwyrndrobwlllllandysiliogogogoch is the name of a town in Wales and the longest name of any place in the world.
  • People across the UK drink 165 million cups of tea per day!
  • The world’s first subway system was built in London.
  • Every place in Britain is within 75 miles of a coastline.

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