AT WORK

If you are fortunate enough to be offered the job, don't worry that you won't understand everything straight away. If you are not sure, ask for help. It is better than making mistakes.

Your Rights at Work

If you are employed for over 8 hours per week, in employment that lasts at least one month, the employer must give you written terms and conditions of employment, or a contract of employment, within the first two months of employment.

The terms and conditions may be written in different places, e.g. your letter of employment, your job description or a trade union agreement. Keep in a safe place any letters or papers that are given to you by your employer. Whatever these written papers say, you and your employer have certain duties to each other.

Your rights and your employer's rights, are also affected by any agreements trade unions have made with the employer and by many acts of Parliament, e.g. on health and safety, pay, race, and sex discrimination. Even if you have not been given a contract, you still have legal rights under employment legislation.

Joining a Union

• It is your legal right to choose to join a union when you are 16. If you join a trade union, they will advise you on your rights, and help sort out difficulties with your employer. The union works for a fair deal for all workers in the workplace. The union will not help you unless you are a member. Ask other workers what the union does, find out who your union representative is, talk to them, and decide if you want to join.
• If you do not join a union, but want to check if you are receiving correct wages and fair conditions of service ask at your local Connexions shop or Job Centre/Job Centre Plus.

You can get leaflets on rights at work, race, disability and sex discrimination etc. from your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau.

Health and Safety

• If you have an accident at work, no matter how minor, report it to your supervisor, the firm's Safety Officer, or to the first aid room and make sure that it is entered in the Accident Book.
• Many firms provide overalls/ working boots/ear muffs/ helmets. Make sure you wear any protective clothing you are given, otherwise you could be risking injury and perhaps deafness. It will save wear and tear on your own clothes too. If you work with machines, watch out for things that might catch in moving parts - ties and long hair are the cause of many accidents. You may not get full compensation for accidents if you do not take proper care, and wear the protective clothing provided (in fact, the Health and Safety Executive may even prosecute you if you don't).
• If you are off work because of an injury at work, see a doctor and say that you have been injured at work. Ask for a certificate to send to your employer. You may qualify for Benefit.

Your Payslip

• If you are in a job, you must get a weekly or monthly payslip with your pay. This shows how your - take-home' money is worked out.
• There are two compulsory deductions on most people's payslips: Income Tax and National Insurance. These taxes go to the Government to help pay for education, health services, welfare benefits etc. How much you pay depends on how much you earn.
• If you don't understand anything else on your payslip - ASK.
• Every year your employer should give you a form (P60) to show how much you have earned and how much tax you have paid. Keep it safe as you may need it in the future, and it cannot be replaced.

If you are Sick or Late

• Phone your supervisor or employer or get someone else to do it. Say what is wrong, and when you hope to get back to work.

Your Pay While Sick

• Read your contract - If it says you get full pay when you are off sick for short periods, this is what you should get if you stick to the rules in the contract, e.g. about letting the employer know when you are sick.
• Statutory Sick Pay - Whatever your contract says your employer must at least pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you are sick for four or more days in a row, including Sundays and Public Holidays, and you earn more than the lower earnings limited for National Insurance. This sick pay can go on for up to 28 weeks. If you are due a large amount of sick pay under your contract, SSP forms part of that. You don't get both.
• Alternatives - There are times when an employer does not have to continue to pay Statutory Sick Pay, e.g. if you are off sick for more than 28 weeks. If you are sick and the employer is not going to pay sick pay, you must be given a form telling you why and a form to help you claim Sickness Benefit instead. If you don't agree with the reason the employer gives, you can ask an Adjudication Officer at the Social Security Office to make a decision on whether you get sick pay or not. If you disagree with the Adjudication Officer, you can appeal to a local tribunal. A Citizens Advice Bureau or other advice service can help you with this.

Problems?

• Sometimes it takes a while to get used to new ways and new people. Give yourself a fair chance at the job before you decide you don't like it.
• If after several weeks, you are still feeling unhappy, talk to your supervisor or the firm's Personnel Officer. It is in their interest to ensure that you are happy in your job so that you work to the best of your ability.
• If you feel that you would like to improve your skills or try to increase your qualifications, ask your employer about training options. Remember that the - Right to Time Off for Study' guarantees you the opportunity to train for qualifications up to NVQ Level 2 - search for more info here.