work

UK employers have a number of legal duties towards their employees including anti-discrimination measures, health and safety requirements, an obligation to pay the minimum wage, comply with laws relating to maximum working hours and breaks, pay National Insurance contributions, and provide wage slips.

To be able to work in the UK you need a National Insurance Number (NIN) which is unique to you for life. To apply for one please contact your local Job Centre Plus on 0845 6000 643. You will then be invited for an interview where you will need to prove your identity and right to work in the UK as well as details of when you received a job offer, started work or to prove that you are actively seeking work. You do not need to have received your National Insurance Number before you can start work as it may take 6-12 weeks for your National Insurance card to be issued.

More information can be found on www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk, www.dwp.gov.uk, www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk, www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/, www.ukcisa.org.uk

It is likely that you will have to pay Income Tax and National Insurance contributions from your wages.

You will only need to pay income tax if you earn over £7,475 per tax year which runs from 6 April till 5 April in the UK.

For the tax year 2008-9, the income tax rates are following:

Basic rate: 20% £0-£35,000 per year
Higher rate: 40% Over £35,000 per year

The minimum wage is a legal right and generally increases every year. There are different minimum wage rates for different age groups as stated below:

Rates from Oct 2009
Age 21 and over £6.08
Age 18 - 20 £4.98
Age 16 - 17 £3.68

Up to date information on www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Pay/DG_10027201

How to find work
Local newspapers
• Press & Journal (job section on Friday)
• Evening Express (job section on Wednesday)

Job Centre Plus holds a list of available vacancies that can be searched in the Job Centre itself or on-line on www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Recruitment agencies are also helpful. There are many of them in Aberdeenshire. You can search for them on www.google.co.uk and get registered.

Visit bars, restaurants, clubs and shops to ask for part time work. Sometimes they also display their vacancies in window.

From our previous students’ experience it can take from several days to two months to find a job. You should always act confidently at the interview and have some relevant experience on your CV.