Employment law

News: Employing Temporary Student Workers

  • Date: 12/06/2008
  • Author/Solicitor: Nick Arron

The sun is beginning to shine, you've had your first barbeque, and customers are becoming excited about their summer holidays. It's that time of year. You are thinking about employing a few students over the summer. Here then are some handy hints on employing students aged 18 - 21.

  • Remember they must be paid the national minimum wage of £4.60 per hour. When it comes to students, if the employee has an outstanding student loan and is earning at least £15,000 a year, including pay from other employment, you may be responsible for making loan payment deductions from their wages. It is worth checking. Tips can form part of the wage.
  • Don't forget to check that the employee has the right to work in the UK. You need to ensure they are eligible, as fines in relation to employing illegal migrant workers have increased to a maximum of £10,000.
  • Check whether the new employee has a disability or is pregnant and whether you need to adapt the workplace. Not all disabilities are immediately obvious.
  • If the employee already has a job, a decision must be made on the arrangements for their personal tax allowance. It is normally assigned to the person's main job. Complete form P46.
  • Don't forget training; health and safety, licensing legislation, fire safety and food safety. There could be serious consequences of serving alcohol to under 18s or to those already drunk.
  • You must provide the new employee with a written statement of the terms and conditions of their employment, if they are going to work for you for a month or more. You must provide this within two months of the employee starting work. A written contract can be provided instead of a written statement.
  • You should also provide them with the disciplinary and grievance procedures.

For further information, please contact Nick Arron