Key Employment Rights for Students
1. National Minimum Wage
https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage
2. Written Terms & Conditions
All employees have an employment contract with their employer. An employment contract, like any contract, isn’t necessarily in writing. If you’ve agreed to do work in return for pay, you’ve got a contract. You must have a written summary of key terms and conditions if your contract is due to last more than a month.
A contract is an agreement that sets out an employee’s:
- Employment conditions
- Rights
- Responsibilities
- Duties
For details, see https://www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions
3. Got Your Number?
If you are a long-term resident in the UK, you will probably already have a National Insurance Number (NINO for short) that was sent to you when you were 16.
You will need a NINO if you are looking for work. To apply, phone 0845 600 0643. You will have to attend an interview at the Jobcentre and provide evidence of identity. More information is available from https://www.gov.uk/national-insurance
4. Notice of termination of employment
Both the employee and employer are normally entitled to a minimum period of notice on termination of employment.
Notice periods should be one of the main terms and conditions of employment and included in the employee's written statement.
See https://www.gov.uk/handing-in-your-notice
5. Dismissal
Have you been working long enough to apply to an Employment Tribunal? There are exceptions.
Do you have valid grounds?
Are you within time to challenge your (ex) employer at an Employment Tribunal?
Find out at www.gov.uk/dismissal
6. Unlawful Discrimination
It is against the law to discriminate against anyone because if you have a “protected characteristic”, as set out in the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination can include lower pay, and selection for redundancy or dismissal.
Employers may have an obligation to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to support disabled workers, and to take into account others’ protected characteristics in managing them. For further information, see https://www.gov.uk/discrimination-your-rights
7. Tax
If you have a job when you’re a student you may need to pay Income Tax and National Insurance. For further information, go to https://www.gov.uk/student-jobs-paying-tax
Useful Information
ACAS (Advice, Conciliation & Arbitration Service)
Employment advice helpline;
Support in the workplace.
Detailed information on employment rights on website
Phone 08457 47 47 47
www.acas.org.uk
Citizens’ Advice Advice Guide
Advice and guidance on employment rights,consumer rights and other common welfare problems
www.adviceguide.org.uk/work
Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)
Some jobs eg teaching, nursing, social work require a DBS check. Phone or see the website for further information.
Telephone: 0870 909 0811
www.gov.uk/dbs
SUUG Employability & Volunteering Toolkit
Apply to volunteer through Volunteers Centre Greenwich; record employment and work experience; log your volunteer hours towards University & SU recognition.
http://www.suug.co.uk/volunteer/
Equality & Human Rights Commission
No longer provides an advice helpline, but useful information on the website.
www.equalityhumanrights.com
Employment Tribunals
General guidance on ET procedure, and online forms.
www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk
Employment Appeals Tribunal judgements
www.employmentappeals.gov.uk
Gov.Uk website
Good starting-point to find information on Government services and welfare support.
www.gov.uk
Employability and Careers Service
University support for careers guidance and employability, and the Jobshop service.
www.gre.ac.uk/employability
Health & Safety Executive
The UK independent regulator for work-related health, safety and illness. See the website for good practice, and information on when things go wrong.
Phone 08701 545500
www.hse.gov.uk
Want to join a Union?
Trades Union Congress
www.tuc.org.uk