In 2015, 77% of university students worked to help fund their studies. With the new university year beginning, what do employers, and students, need to know about hiring students?
- ' Regulations for Younger Workers '
Most university students are over the age of 18, but some students may be younger. Workers under the age of 18 have additional employment rights. For example 16 & 17 year olds are entitled to a 30 minute rest break if they work more than 4.5 hours. It is important to be aware of these additional rights and ensure that they are properly managed.
2. National Minimum Wage Brackets
There are different national minimum wage rates for people aged:
- Under 18
- 18 - 20
- 21 - 24
- 25 and over
Many (but not all!) students are in their late teens to mid 20s and could change rate bracket during their employment. If you are paying, or being paid, at or near the minimum wage - it is important to make sure the correct rate is being applied.
- International Student Regulations
Many students in the Britain come from outside the UK and EU. International students can offer businesses great benefits through speaking multiple languages and other skills - however there are important legal factors to consider. Employers will need to check that any international student they seek to employ has the right to work in the UK. Some international students may also have limits on the number of hours they can work. Procedures should be put in place to manage this - otherwise employers can face strict penalties.
- Discrimination Risks
Students are younger than the population on average, and the majority work part time. In the workplace this presents a risk of age discrimination, or less favourable treatment in comparison to full time staff. It is crucial that employers are aware of this and have policies and procedures in place. For employees, it is important to know these procedures and what to do if you are being discriminated against.
- Zero-hour Contracts
Students are more likely to be on zero-hours contracts. Where someone is employed on a zero-hour contract it is important to be clear about employment status and the protections that arise from these.
In addition, clauses in zero-hour contracts that prohibit a worker from working with a different employer ('exclusivity clauses') are banned.
- Pension Obligations
If a student who typically works part time, changes to full time hours over the summer break they may earn enough during this period to qualify for being 'auto-enrolled' into the employer's pension scheme.
Being aware of this and the fact that some student workers may have the right to opt into pension schemes is important.
