Work experience guidelines
Work experience is often low paid and the work may not always be that inspiring. That said you should not allow yourself to be exploited. There are now government guidelines in place (issued by the DTI) on the treatment of people in work placement schemes as well as voluntary work experience which both you and your employer should be aware of.
These clearly lay out the following terms:
Hours:
- Work experience should be time limited - no more than two weeks for unpaid placements and no longer than four weeks for placements receiving the minimum wage.
- They don't own you - hours should be limited to 40 hr per week.
- Get it in writing - there should be a clear and accurate written description of the placement. This should explain what skills and attributes you should have and the typical activities you will be asked to perform.
Pay:
- Individuals on work placement should not be filling roles that would otherwise be undertaken by paid staff or crew.
- You should be paid at least the National Minimum Wage unless:
- You are a student involved in a college organised work experience scheme
- You are merely ‘shadowing' an employee
- You take part in the scheme on a genuine voluntary basis - this means you can come and go as you please and are not under any obligation to complete the work, or fulfil an actual job.
- Don't be out of pocket - the placement provider should at least cover your expenses.
Supervision:
- Make sure you're not left in the dark - a member of staff should be appointed to manage your activities.
- Make sure you receive a proper induction on the first day - especially with regard to Health & Safety.
- Make sure your activities are covered by the company's insurance.
- There should be an opportunity for feedback and evaluation at the end of the placement.
Credit and copyright:
- Make sure you get credit for the work you've done.
- Don't let anyone pinch your ideas (see Copyright advice). The placement provider will have rights over work in which you participate as a work experience placement.
- If you develop some original work during your work experience, the provider will need to buy it from you if they want to keep it.
The employer's organisation PACT in consultation with Pact's Skills Policy Group have introduced Pact Work Experience Guide to help prevent some of the exploitative practices that do occur.
For the latest information about work experience, please see the new guidelines that have been published by the DTI - DTI Work Experience Guidelines
