| Index »Employment In The UK - An Overview
|
|
| Employment In The UK - An Overview |
|
| The United Kingdom has a dynamic labour market. More than a third of employees work on a contract basis. This state of affairs exists to allow employers to easily lay off staff in an economic downturn by not renewing contracts. However, with over 28 million jobs in existence in the UK today, most people should be able to find the right job for themselves. It takes some perseverance, personal career development, hard work and bit of luck to find the right job. The personal development is necessary to educate yourself about your place in the British workforce and comes from a variety of experiences - good and bad.
|
|
| Your employer will need to know if it is legal for you to work in the UK and whether you need a work permit or visa. You will need to show proof of your right to work. Before you start working for a new employer they'll probably want proof that you have the right to work in the UK. The employer should tell you which documents you need to show them.
|
|
| Recruitment practice in the UK is a relatively formal process. It follows broadly the cycle of the candidate applying in writing, the employer assessing CVs, interviewing some people, deciding on who to employ and then negotiating an agreement with the chosen candidate. When you start a new job, your employer may wish to carry out a number of checks to see if you're suitable - but you have certain rights during this process.
|
|
| For lower paid jobs the process is shorter and simpler. The more highly paid the job, the more time it takes and more steps are involved. References are used by employers to find out if you're suitable for a job and are a reliable employee. Before you accept a job offer make sure you know your rights and what a prospective employer expects of you. People who work in the UK have a number of employment rights and obligations. The terms of an employment contract set out what you and your employer can expect of each other.
|
|
| Salaries are paid on a monthly basis. Contract or temporary positions are usually paid based on time sheets that they need to submit. indicating the number of hours or days worked. They are then paid on a weekly basis if they submit a weekly timesheet.
|
|
| Students |
|
| If you're an international student you may not need permission to work here when you're studying. If your home country is in the EEA, or you're a Swiss national, you can work without restrictions on the type or amount of work you do. Otherwise, you should check the visa stamp in your passport. If it says 'prohibited' you can't work in the UK. If it grants you leave to enter or remain in the UK as a student, you can work here provided you:
|
|
|
Don't work more than 20 hours a week during term time, unless the employment is part of your studies or is an internship |
 |
| |
|
|
Don't engage in business, are not self-employed and don't provide services as a professional sportsperson or entertainer |
|
| |
|
|
Don't take a permanent full-time position |
|
| Highly Skilled Migrants |
|
| From 29 February 2008 any highly skilled foreign national currently working in Britain who wants to extend their stay will need to apply under a new points-based system. This new points based system will be extended to those applying from overseas later in the year. It will not apply to citizens of EEA countries.
|
|
| Work Permits |
|
| There are a number of schemes and programmes for people who want to work in the UK. If you're not from an EEA country or Switzerland, you're likely to need a work permit to work here.
|
|
| There are six separate groups for ordinary work permit applications:
|
|
|
Business and commercial |
|
|
Training and work experience |
|
|
Sportspeople and entertainers
|
|
|
Student internships
|
|
|
General agreement on trade in services (GATS)
|
|
|
Hospitality and food processing (sector-based schemes)
|
| |
| |
