Life in the UK Test

Chapter 6: Employment

Looking for work

The Home Office provides guidance on who is allowed to work in the UK.
Not everyone in the UK is allowed to work.Some people need work permit to work. Therefore it is important to check your status before taking up work. Also, employers have to check that anyone they employ is legally entitled to work in the UK

Jobs are usually advertised in the local and national newspapers, at local Jobcentre and in employment agencies. You can find the address and telephone number of your local Jobcentre under Jobcentre Plus in the phone book or see: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.Some jobs are even advertised on your nearest supermarket notice board .If there are particular companies you would like to work for, you can look for vacancies on their websites.

Jobcentre Plus is run by a government department called the Department for Work and Pensions. Trained staff will provide advice and help in finding or applying for jobs and on claiming benefits. They can also arrange for interpreter

Qualifications

Applications

Interviews for lower paid causal jobs can often be arranged by telephone or in person. For many jobs you need to fill in an application form or send a copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) with a covering letter or letter of application. Your CV gives specific details of your education, qualification, professional affiliations your, unique skills and interests.

Employers often ask for the names and addresses of one or two referees. These are people such as your current or previous employer or college tutor. Referees need to know you well and to agree to write a short report of reference on your suitability for the job. Personal friends and members of your family are not normally acceptable as referees.

CRB checks
For some jobs, particularly if the work involves working with vulnerable people or children, the employer will ask you your permission to do a criminal record check. These records are kept at Criminal Record Bureau (in Scotland Disclosure Scotland)

Volunteering and work experience

Some people do voluntary work and this can be a good way to support your local community and organisations which depend on volunteers.

Equal Rights and Discrimination

The law also says that men and women who do the same job or work of equal value, should receive equal pay. Almost all these laws protect people at work apply equally to people doing part-time or full time jobs
There are small number of jobs where discrimination laws do not apply. For example job involves working for someone in their own home.

While Commission for Racial Equality deals with racial discrimination,The Equal opportunities commission deals with sex, age, and disability issues.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment can take different forms. This includes

• indecent remarks
• comments about the way you look that make you feel uncomfortable or humiliated
• Comments or questions about your sex life
• Inappropriate touching or sexual demands
• Bullying behaviour or being treated in a way that is rude, hostile, degrading or humiliating because of your sex

If this happens to you, tell a friend, colleague or trade union representative and ask the person harassing you to stop. It is a good idea to keep a written record of what happened ( keeping up a diary).

If it continues report the person to your employer or trade union. Employers are responsible for the behaviour of their employees while they are at work. They should treat complaints of sexual harassment very seriously and take effective action to deal with the problem. If you are not satisfied with your employer’s response, you can ask for advice and support from the Equal Opportunities Commission, your trade union or the Citizens Advice Bureau.



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