Work

The Connexions Service can provide you with help and advice on all sorts of things, like choosing subjects at school or mapping out your future career options. Connexions can help you with anything which might be affecting you at school, college, work or in your personal or family life.

Connexions can give you information, advice and guidance on all types of issues that affect young people including:

Employment

Education

Dismissal

• Your employer may dismiss you without notice if you do something very serious, e.g. hitting a supervisor or stealing.
• In other instances you should be given at least one week's notice or a week's pay instead. If your job ends for any reason except dismissal for bad conduct, what notice is given and what notice you must give must be what is written in your terms and conditions of employment (your contract).
• Your employer has the right to sack you if you are often late, if you are often off sick, or if your behaviour is not what the employer expects for the job you are in (e.g. if you are rude to customers). The procedure before dismissing you must be fair, e.g. you must be given several warnings before you are sacked (This will give you a second chance to improve your behaviour).

Can I Complain?

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.

• Find out where to go and how to get there, and research as much as you can about the company.
• Think about what you have to offer to the job, e.g. keen to do the job; willing to learn; get on well with people; never late; good at working on your own; anything else.
• Make sure you check the appointment details and dress smartly.

Take with you:

• A note of the name, address and telephone number of the company and the name of the person you are to see.
• An introduction card from Connexions or Job Centre if you have one.
• A copy of your CV if you have one.
• Money for fares and a phone call to the firm in case you are held up on the way.
• Any certificates or letters of reference you have and your Record of Achievement
• Any information you were sent before the interview.
• A pen, pencil and rubber in case you have to do any tests.

When you get to the Interview

It is never too early to start looking for the kind of job you want.

The Connexions Service provides a special vacancy service for young people. This is a free service and aims to match you and your skills to the right employer by offering:

• Ideas to help you get the job you want
• Up to date information on jobs in your area
• A computer matching service that identifies jobs suitable for you
• Appointments for job interviews with employers or training suppliers
• Help producing your CV and completing your application forms
• Interview skills and techniques

Other places to look include:

Job Centre/Job Centre Plus: Usually vacancies notified to Job Centres are for those aged 18+ which often means that an employer is looking for previous experience. Vacancies received by them for under 18s are usually redirected to the Connexions Service.

• Shortly before your sixteenth birthday you should get your National Insurance number card through the post. If it hasn't come, or if there are mistakes on it, e.g. the wrong name, tell your Benefits Agency Office.
• Although you may not start full time work until your school leaving date, you can look for a job before you leave school. If you want to do this, let your Connexions Personal Adviser know as they will be able to help you. If you don't have a job and need help, you must register for work as soon as you leave school. This is especially important if you or the people caring for you need to claim benefits.
• Go to your local Connexions centre and say you want to register for the Connexions vacancy service. Ask about vacancies, training courses and about claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Bridging Allowance or Income Support (IS).
• Even if you are waiting to start a job, you should still register with Connexions in the meantime - they can help you with looking for work, applying for jobs, producing a CV (curriculum vitae) etc. - as you might get temporary work or income support until you start.

If you have a temporary job, you can still register for work and be considered for permanent jobs. If you are under 18 and unemployed, you may not be entitled to the same benefits as other people; however, there are exceptions to this rule - for more information, contact your local Connexions centre or have a look at the Benefits chapter.