Rights at Work

Your workplace rights you need to know when working as a musician, explained.

Essential advice

Employment Rights & Advice

It is essential that you know if you are an employee, a worker or self-employed musician.

Member service

Employment Legal Advice & Assistance

Get legal advice and guidance from a specialist employment lawyer.

Data Protection

Advice and guidance on GDPR completed with some music industry specific case studies.

Partnerships for Musicians

If the members of the band are sharing income and debts, then the broad view is that they are in partnership. Find out what this means.

Member service

Partnership Advisory Service

Provided that the musicians in a band or group are sharing income and debts, then the broad view is that you are all in 'partnership'. That’s where our Partnership Advisory Service comes in.

Copyright and performer rights

The basics

Copyright, Moral Rights and Performers' Rights

What music copyright laws are, how you can acquire copyright, what are moral rights and performers' rights.

Music recording

Copyright for Performers in a Sound Recording

Guidance for recording musicians on copyright and performers' rights.

Songwriters and Composers

Proving and Protecting your Musical Property

Who owns the song copyright and how to prove it.

Copyright Laws for Music Teachers

Teaching music and staying within copyright law

Member service

Legal Advice & Assistance

Expert advice and support with unpaid fees, disputes and other legal issues at work.

Guidance on equality rights

Disabled Musicians' Workplace Rights

Your rights as a working disabled musicians, explained.

Working with Neurodivergent Musicians

Find out about what neurodiversity means, how to support colleagues in the workplace, and where to find further support and help

Sexual Harassment at Work

What is sexual harassment, who is protected and who is liable. Guidance, support and help resources for self-employed and employed musicians.

Menopause at Work

Guidance and a sample policy to help workplaces support people experiencing symptoms of menopause.

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights at Work

Your rights as a parent and a working musician, explained

Carer's Rights

Guidance for musicians with unpaid caring responsibilities.

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

No-one should feel guilty about turning down unpaid “opportunities". Have you been asked to work for no fee?

Tell us about it See all Campaigns

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Latest news and features

TUC North East, Yorkshire and Humber Pays Tribute to Northern Ballet Members

TUC Northern East, Yorkshire and Humber Regional celebrates member success at Northern Ballet Sinfonia in a video for social media.

Published: 28 September 2026

Three people sitting on a long sofa being filmed for BBC Breakfast.

MU Tackles Busking Bans on BBC Breakfast

MU Assistant General Secretary Matt Wanstall spoke to BBC Breakfast about busking bans in cities across England following the introduction of a PSPO in Coventry.

Published: 24 September 2026

Buskers and supporters, some wearing M U t-shirts, gathered around a singer, holding placards saying “Street Music is Not a Crime’. ‘Keep Music Live’, and ‘Westminster, Stop Killing Culture”.

Buskers Mark One Year Anniversary of the Leicester Square Busking Ban

Buskers are continuing their high-profile campaign, calling on Westminster Council to find new viable and accessible busking pitches in the borough to replace what was lost.

Published: 15 April 2026

A musician in a recording studio sitting in front of a computer with a keyboard next to him.

Sign the Petition for Fair Work in Scotland’s Creative Industries

With Scotland’s elections fast approaching, we’re calling on musicians to help secure real change by signing the petition for Fair Work across the nation’s creative industries.

Published: 02 April 2026

Ruth and Siân, standing in a bright indoor space holding a large poster of the front cover of the new Engaging Creative Freelancers Guide.

New Bilingual Guide Champions Fair Work for Creative Freelancers in Wales

CULT Cymru, in partnership with the Musicians’ Union, has published a bilingual best practice guide to support creative freelancers, venues and organisations in creating fairer, safer working environments across Wales’ creative sector.

Published: 04 March 2026

See all latest news

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Popular searches

Rights at Work

Essential advice

Employment Rights & Advice

Employment Legal Advice & Assistance

Data Protection

Partnerships for Musicians

Partnership Advisory Service

Copyright and performer rights

Copyright, Moral Rights and Performers' Rights

Copyright for Performers in a Sound Recording

Proving and Protecting your Musical Property

Copyright Laws for Music Teachers

Legal Advice & Assistance

Guidance on equality rights

Disabled Musicians' Workplace Rights

Working with Neurodivergent Musicians

Sexual Harassment at Work

Menopause at Work

Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Rights at Work

Carer's Rights

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Latest news and features

TUC North East, Yorkshire and Humber Pays Tribute to Northern Ballet Members

MU Tackles Busking Bans on BBC Breakfast

Buskers Mark One Year Anniversary of the Leicester Square Busking Ban

Sign the Petition for Fair Work in Scotland’s Creative Industries

New Bilingual Guide Champions Fair Work for Creative Freelancers in Wales