CIJC Working Rule Agreement pay calculator 2026 | Expert Zoom

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the CIJC Working Rule Agreement pay rates from April 2026?

  Under the CIJC Pay Promulgation IR.2026.1 effective 1 April 2026, the basic minimum hourly rates are: General Operative £12.71, Skill Rate 4 £12.84, Skill Rate 3 £13.58, Skill Rate 2 £14.52, Skill Rate 1 £15.07, and Craft Rate £15.83. These are based on a standard 39-hour week. The General Operative and Year 1 Apprentice rates were updated in this promulgation to align with the National Living Wage increase to £12.71 per hour.

• How is redundancy pay calculated for construction workers under the CIJC WRA?

  Statutory redundancy pay under ERA 1996 s.162 is calculated using your age, years of service (up to 20), and weekly pay (capped at £700 from April 2026). The multiplier is 0.5 weeks per year for service under age 22, 1 week per year aged 22–40, and 1.5 weeks per year aged 41 and over. The CIJC Working Rule Agreement does not confirm an enhanced redundancy provision above the statutory minimum. Contact your union representative (Unite or GMB) to check if your employer has agreed enhanced terms.

• How many days annual leave do construction workers get under the CIJC WRA?

  Under WR.8 of the CIJC Working Rule Agreement, operatives are entitled to 21 days' paid annual holiday per year, plus 8 public and bank holidays (England and Wales), giving 29 days in total. This exceeds the UK statutory minimum of 28 days under the Working Time Regulations 1998. Part-time workers receive pro-rata entitlement based on their contracted hours compared to the standard 39-hour week.

• What is the notice period for construction workers under the CIJC Working Rule Agreement?

  Under WR.14 of the CIJC WRA, both employer and operative are required to give 1 week's notice after the first 4 weeks of employment. For employer-initiated dismissal, the statutory minimum under ERA 1996 s.86 also applies: 1 week per complete year of continuous service, with a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 12 weeks. The higher of the CIJC contractual notice and the statutory minimum governs.

• Which pension scheme covers CIJC construction workers?

  Construction workers covered by the CIJC Working Rule Agreement are typically enrolled in a workplace pension under auto-enrolment (Pensions Act 2008). The most common scheme in the construction industry is The People's Pension, operated by B&CE. Minimum contributions are 5% employee and 3% employer on qualifying earnings between £6,240 and £50,270 per year (2026). These are defined contribution (DC) arrangements — not defined benefit.

• What are the overtime rates under the CIJC Working Rule Agreement?

  Under WR.4 of the CIJC Working Rule Agreement, overtime rates are: Monday to Friday after normal hours — first 2 hours at time and a quarter (×1.25), thereafter time and a half (×1.5). Saturday — first 4 hours at time and a half (×1.5), thereafter double time (×2.0). Sunday and bank/public holidays — double time (×2.0). The standard working week is 39 hours, Monday to Friday.

• Does the CIJC Working Rule Agreement 2026 provide enhanced redundancy above the statutory minimum?

  No confirmed contractual enhancement above the ERA 1996 statutory minimum has been identified in the CIJC Working Rule Agreement. Statutory redundancy pay is capped at £700 per week (from April 2026) and 20 qualifying years, giving a maximum of £21,000. Some individual employers may have agreed enhanced redundancy terms — check your contract of employment or consult your union representative (Unite or GMB).

• What is the National Living Wage for construction workers from April 2026?

  The National Living Wage rose to £12.71 per hour from 1 April 2026 for workers aged 21 and over. The CIJC April 2026 Pay Promulgation updated the General Operative rate to £12.71/hr and the Year 1 Apprentice rate accordingly to ensure compliance. For apprentices aged 19–20, the applicable rate is the National Minimum Wage of £10.85 per hour.

• How do I calculate my take-home pay as a CIJC construction operative?

  Your estimated take-home pay is your gross salary minus Income Tax (PAYE) and National Insurance contributions. For the 2026–27 tax year: no tax on the first £12,570 (personal allowance); 20% basic rate on £12,571–£50,270; 40% higher rate above. Employee NI is 8% on earnings between £12,570 and £50,270. Use the Pay Calculator tab above to estimate your net monthly take-home based on your grade and hours. Figures are estimates — your actual deductions depend on your tax code and individual circumstances.