An employer has a duty to pay wages whenever an employee is ready and willing to work. It does not generally matter whether there is any work for them to do. They are still entitled to pay if they are unable to work through no fault of their own (eg because of a delay in receiving medical clearance or because there is no work for them to do), unless there is a specific contractual agreement entitling the employer to stop pay. Employees also have a right to be paid when they are unable to work because they are off sick or on maternity, paternity or adoption leave. Employees are also entitled to a certain number of days paid holiday a year (see the Sick pay ― legal points, Maternity pay ― legal points and Holiday pay ― legal points guidance notes).