National Minimum Wage

For further advice see the DTI's National Minimum Wage site: www.dti.gov.uk/er/nmw

Working Students and tax

Before you start working, ring the Inland Revenue and get them to send you a tax code

All local tax office phone numbers listed on the HM Revenue & Customs website

Without the correct code, you will probably be put on emergency tax, which is much higher than most students should be paying. Waiting to claim tax back can leave you skint and is also a hassle. Ask your employer to complete form P38(S) which means your wages will be paid gross. Unite runs a service for all its members which tells you if you are owed tax.

Payslips

Under the Employment Rights Act you are entitled to receive a fully itemised pay slip. Make sure you read yours carefully and question anything you don’t know.

Part time work and holiday pay

Part time workers' entitlement to holiday is pro rata - so if you normally work three days a week, you get 12 days a year (the equivalent of four weeks’ working days).

Break entitlement

Under the Working Time Regulations, you are entitled to at least a 20 minute break if you work more then six hours in one shift, and you shouldn’t be asked to work longer than eight hours in 24 if you work at night.

However there is no requirement under the minimum standards that your employer must pay you for this break.