Nearly every student needs a bit more cash, and usually the first point of call is to get a part-time job.
A reality for many students, a part-time job in the evenings or weekend is usually an ideal way to earn easy money and not disturb student life too much. However for some students this has turned into a much bigger hassle than they originally foresaw.
One first year student who was offered a job at a “pretty good wage” was then surprised to find that two weeks later the wage had been lowered. “At first I thought that it was a mistake, so I tried to talk to the manager about it. She insisted that was what had always been agreed in the interview, when it definitely wasn’t”. As no written contract had been agreed, only a verbal one, which is still legally binding, it was the student’s word against the managers. “I really didn’t see what could be done, it was only my manager and I at the interview so I had no other witnesses. I tried to talk to her about it again but she said she was busy and couldn’t talk. The next week when I came in they said they were overstaffed and didn’t need me anymore. The worst thing was that I had chosen that job over another one, a decision purely based on pay”.
Legally to change an employee’s wages there has to be a fair reason for the deduction to take place and it has to be agreed in writing by both parties. Other instances in which a wage deduction is acceptable is for national insurance, tax, union membership or pension. All these need to be written in a contract and shown on your pay slip.
Employers taking advantage of students because they believe they’ll put up with it, is more common than you would think. York, for example, is notorious for cash in hand labour, which gives the employee no real legal protection and amounts to tax evasion by the employer.
So what do you do if you feel that you are being treated unfairly in the work place? The welfare centre can offer you advice on what to do next and will usually help you write a formal letter. Or you could contact the Citizens Advice Bureau, if the employer’s are in the wrong this is usually enough to scare them into some sort of agreement.
Another issue is how you can avoid getting into this kind of situation in the first place? It is the employer’s legal duty and your right to have a contract if you request one, this way if the employer breaches the contract then you have written evidence that they have done so.
Ben Humphrys, YUSU Welfare Officer, gives this advice to students: “The most important protection for student workers is your contract or statement of rights: get one, read it carefully and keep it in a safe space. It’s worth looking into joining a Union as well as they can protect you if something goes wrong. Care should also be taken when signing up to temp agencies which give you less protection than other jobs, because of the issue of doing all kinds of work rather than just one job.
“Recruitment agencies also will not always be focused on your interests or objectives when offering advice, as they are paid by the employer and you should always ask to be kept up to date on where they are sending your C.V.
Bearing all this in mind it is a good idea to research your rights as a part time or full time worker, and check out websites such as directgov.co.uk which show your legal rights. Welfare would also strongly advise working students to join unitetheunion.com which for a £10 membership gives free legal advice and negotiates on your behalf with employers and the UK and European governments to get you a fair deal for you at work.
YUSU welfare are also planning an awareness campaign for the end of term which will be focusing on the rights of student workers.
Students who are interested in being involved in the campaign are encouraged to contact the Welfare Officer at [email protected].