Equality at Work – Part 4

Pay Discriminations: Your Rights

To round up the Equality at Work series this final post will be looking at Sex discrimination and Equal Pay.

Check out our previous posts on the Equality Act: discrimination against disability, against age and discrimination against race and religion.

Sex

It is unlawful to discriminate against an employee on the grounds of their sex. Under the Equality Act 2012 it is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against an employee on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, gender realignment, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. Continue reading

The Rights of Overseas Students in the UK

Overseas Students

Knowing your working rights isessential for any person wishing to be able to work. As a home student, you think no more of it because you know the basics; minimum wage, exacts you are allowed to work before it becomes illegal, and so on.  Overseas students don’t always know their rights. Know your rights, earn money and enjoy yourself…find out how.

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Rights of Agency Workers

Once you have established that you are an Agency Worker (see my previous post on agency workers), you should familiarise yourself with the rights available to you. These are slightly different, arguably, not as broad as employment rights.

Rights of Agency Workers:

• To be paid minimum wage
• Not to have unlawful deductions taken from wages
• Not to be discriminated against (based on protected grounds by the Equality Act 2010)
• To have paid holidays
• To have a limit on the amount of hours worked each week
• Not to be treated unfavourably after reporting any illegal activities happening at work (such as breaches of health and safety regulations)

Click on “Read More” to learn about more rights of Agency Workers. This is important! Continue reading

Interview Advice (Part 1)

Interviews are usually the last hurdle one has to
jump over in order to land a job, a placement or an internship. Interviews can
be very daunting considering that they are designed to do just one thing: find the best possible candidate.  

Sometimes it may feel that the questions being
asked have been designed to deliberately catch you out or make you question whether you are up to the job or not. But that’s not their intention.

Some questions aim to establish how well you cope under pressure, others will be to
reveal your personality or to see what your career aspirations are. Continue reading

Student Visitors

Will I be able to study in the UK as a Student Visitor?

Universities all across the UK welcome international students to study. However there can be confusion as to whether you as an international student, have fulfilled the criteria that would enable you to study at your chosen institution. The term ‘student visitor’ is used to classify international students who are not nationals of member state countries in the EU. As a result those who wish to study abroad in places such as the UK, need to apply for a visa. In order to fall under the category of a student visitor, you must have been accepted on to a course of study in the UK. The requirements that the institutions must fulfil is provided below. Continue reading

Free Movement of Union Citizens

What does this mean for students and workers?

Free Movement of Union CitizensOften, member state nationals of the European Union forget, or are unaware of the rights that they are entitled to. As citizens of the EU, we have specific rights conferred to us. So what does that mean for Union citizen students and workers?

Well according to Article 45 (1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), workers are entitled to enjoy the rights of free movement. This includes abolition of any discrimination based on nationality between workers of the Member States with regards to: employment, remuneration and other conditions of work and employment, by virtue of Article 45 (2) TFEU.

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Freelancing and the law

 

Working for your self, freelancer

A Freelancer- a person who sells work or services by the hour, day or job, rather than working on a regular salary basis for a single employer.

As a student, the idea of freelancing for a company can seem very attractive.  It’s a great way to earn extra cash whilst studying. You are not bound to any one employer, and usually have the freedom to choose when you would like to carry out the work set.

Rights

One thing to bear in mind though is that with freelance work come limited rights.

Freelance/self-employed workers are not protected by the same statutory rights as those who are classed as ‘employees’.

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National Insurance Card

National Insurance Card

National Insurance Card

Wondering what your National Insurance Card is for? Fear not at this post will hopefully answer all your questions!

If you are UK citizen you receive your National Insurance card when you are 16, the age you can start to legally work and make your own money, woo! It is key that you keep this card safe and have it for when you are looking for a job, as without it employers are likely to dismiss you as a candidate for a job straight away. You will need your National Insurance number for when you sign your employment contract, so that employers can deduct your taxes, for local authorities to provide financial benefits and for dealings with the Inland Revenue. Sadly this is not an option but a requirement there no way of avoiding the taxman!
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International Students – Start up Guide

Over the years the UK has built a reputation as having some of the best universities in the world. We currently hold four places in the top 10 best universities of the world; with half of these universities in the country’s capital, London. It is easy to see why 400,000 international students flocked to the UK last year to study.

As an international student being in a completely different country must be exhilarating, exciting and just plain fun, but we at the student job also understand that it must be daunting. We aim to help you understand the rules and regulations so you can concentrate on enjoying the most of what studying in the UK has to offer.

In order to apply for any sort of paid employment in the UK as an international student, you must first be eligible to work here. If your home country is outside of the European economic area (EEA) your eligibility to work within the UK is based on a point system. The rules governing this scheme are subject to change, so it advisable to visit the Home Office website:  for the most current information that applies to your situation.

Also take a look at the UK Council for International Student Affairs’ website for further information:

Depending of the conditions of your visa into the UK, you are either allowed to work a maximum of 10 hours or 20 hours per week during term time.

It is important to remember that international students still have to pay Income Tax and National Insurance if you earn above a certain amount.

HOWEVER!! You may be entitled to reclaim any Tax you have paid when you are leaving the country by filling a P85  form and submitting it to the HMRC.
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