Employment
Resources and links for lone parents about the issues surrounding employment.
A Guide to Time Off Work
This is a basic guide covering the different types of leave or absence from work and who is entitled to them. This factsheet is only an introduction to what you may be entitled to, so please seek further advice where necessary.
There is a separate factsheet for Maternity Rights, which covers leave and pay if you are pregnant or have just had a baby.
See also: Factsheet 29: Your Rights at Work.
Back-to-work benefits factsheet
Information on Tax Credits, Housing / Council Tax Benefits & Passported Benefits.
(This factsheet is part of the OPFS Lone Parent's Rights Guide.)
Downloads
Childcare factsheet
This factsheet outlines the different types of childcare and help available to pay for it.
(This factsheet is part of the OPFS Lone Parent's Rights Guide.)
Downloads
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) factsheet
This is a short guide to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for people with a disability or long-term health condition. ESA is paid when a claimant has 'limited capacity for work' and it replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on the grounds of ill-health.
Going back to work factsheet
Information on New Deal for Lone Parents and other support available when returning to work.
(This factsheet is part of the OPFS Lone Parent's Rights Guide.)
Downloads
Maternity rights factsheet
This factsheet covers maternity rights at work and benefits you are entitled to if you are not working. It also looks at legal issues for unmarried parents. Maternity rights are complicated, and this factsheet gives only a brief outline.
(This factsheet is part of the OPFS Lone Parent's Rights Guide.)
Useful addresses factsheet
A list of useful organisations and agencies for lone parents.
(This factsheet is part of the OPFS Lone Parent's Rights Guide.)
Downloads
Your Rights at Work
This factsheet looks at some of the most common questions from workers about their rights at work. Employment law is very complicated so this information is just an overview. Please get specialist advice if you need to know more about a specific issue or are considering taking any action.
N.B. The term 'worker' refers to anyone who works for an employer, therefore the information given here does not usually apply to people who are self-employed.
Further information is also given on A Guide to Time Off Work (Factsheet 19).
Downloads
Links:
Into Work
Help for people with a learning disability, mental health problem, sensory impairment or a range of different disabilities seeking or wishing to maintain employment in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Job Centre Plus
Find your local Job Centre Plus.
Midlothian Employment Action Network
The Midlothian Employment Action Network (MEAN) is a network of employment intermediaries, working with people in Midlothian who face obstacles when seeking and retaining work. They can find the most appropriate sources of support and services for you to do this.
Momentum
Momentum operates a range of employment support and training programmes designed to assist people with a range of different disabilities to return to or sustain work.
Remploy
Remploy offers disabled people a range of services and support to prepare them for work in mainstream employment.