Code of Practice for Students Applying for Vacancies
The aim of the Careers and Employability Centre is to help University of Sussex students
and recent graduates looking for work to make contact with employers offering part-time,
vacation, work experience, placements and graduate vacancies. Current University of
Sussex students and their dependants are eligible to use the employment service.
Graduates can apply for part time and vacation work aimed at current students, for a
maximum period of 6 months following graduation.
1. Information will be displayed via the Careers and Employability Centre website.
2. Employment information will be as up to date and accurate as possible. All information is
given in good faith and is based on details given by the employer. Students must
confirm for themselves that the information is accurate before accepting employment.
3. The Careers and Employability Centre will not enter into employment contracts with
students or employers. Instead all employment contracts are to be agreed directly
between employer and student.
4. Students are expected to be aware of their own study commitments and not to take
employment that will adversely affect their academic work. A maximum of 15 hours’ work
per week is strongly recommended for undergraduates and 20 hours for postgraduates.
(These recommendations are for term time only.)
5. Non EEA International students should be aware of their visa restrictions which generally
state a maximum of 20 hours’ work per week during term time and full time during
vacations. There is a prohibition on working as self-employed. Vacancies
described as ‘freelance’ are also self-employed. The Careers and Employability
Centre does not advertise self-employed positions (see point 9). International students
can seek advice from International Student Support for any visa related queries:
international@sussex.ac.uk
The University of Sussex has more information on working in the UK for non-EEA
students here: www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/aboutus/internationalstudents/noneea
6. PUT YOUR PERSONAL SECURITY FIRST: whilst all care is taken that we deal with
reputable employers, you must take normal precautions when attending interviews.
Familiarise yourself with the location of the interview before hand and also inform a third
person of your whereabouts. Please be aware that some vacancies may be based at
private addresses. If in any doubt about an employer please alert the Employment
Engagement Manager at the Careers and Employability Centre immediately.
7. HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK: we all have a duty to act in a responsible manner in
relation to our and other individuals’ Health and Safety. The Careers and Employability
Centre has a responsibility to outline Health and Safety good practice procedures;
whether students/graduates are employed by private employers outside the University,
within the University of Sussex or whether students are undertaking work experience,
work shadowing, volunteering etc. (Health and Safety Act, 1974 and DTI Regulations).
Those students undertaking placements should refer to the information on the Careers &
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Employability Centre website, www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/gettingexperience/placements
or contact a member of the Placements Team.
Health and Safety and Interviews:
Interviews should be held at a business address and in an environment that meets the
Health and Safety legislation. Advice should be sought from the Careers and
Employability Centre if an employer makes alternative suggestions that may compromise
your personal security (see item 5 above) or your health and safety
Health and Safety and Induction:
It is a legal requirement that your Employer should brief you about Health and Safety
issues relating to your job role, this may include:
a) Your health and safety responsibilities in the organisation
b) details of health and safety organisational information
c) emergency arrangements (Fire/First Aid/Meeting points in the case of an
emergency) and emergency contact numbers within the organisation
d) details of any risks for activities to be undertaken and procedures for working in
or visiting environments that you will be unfamiliar with, for example hazardous
and restricted areas
e) providing employees with the contact details of the named person you should
report health and safety accidents and incidents to
f) outlining organisational policy, and related information i.e. personal safety, late
and lone working
g) appropriate training as required by the job role i.e. manual handling
If you have any concerns for your health and safety or are unsure about any aspects of
your rights and responsibilities at work you should check these matters with your line
manager, another senior member of staff or let us know at the Careers and Employability
Centre. We can also refer you to a range of helpful websites, for example:
www.nases.org.uk/students or refer you to other services at the University of Sussex.
8. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they have the relevant skills and
qualifications required for a particular post before applying for it. We will not disclose the
names, addresses or telephone numbers of students and shall conform to the
requirements of the Data Protection Act and any subsequent related Acts.
9. The Careers and Employability Centre will not advertise positions which are commission
only, self-employed, freelance, or those which involve ‘door to door’ sales.
10. All advertisements advertised through the Careers and Employability Centre must offer
at least the higher level national minimum wage unless covered by one of the
exemptions below:
Students on work experience as part of their higher education course
Students on a work placement forming part of a UK higher or UK further education
course if the work placement is for less than one year.
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Volunteers
There are two types of volunteer; voluntary workers and volunteers.
Voluntary workers
Voluntary workers are workers who are employed by a charity, voluntary organisation,
an associated fund-raising body or statutory body. If someone works for any other type
of organisation, they cannot be voluntary workers as defined by the Act. Voluntary
workers receive no monetary payment, but may receive reimbursement of expenses
actually incurred, or reasonably estimated to have been incurred, in carrying out their
work for a qualifying organisation.
Volunteers
Volunteers are under no contractual obligation to perform work or provide services,
though they may come to informal arrangements with those for whom they carry out
tasks, e.g., agreeing to undertake a task at a mutually convenient time. They offer their
time and effort for free, though may receive reimbursement for expenses. Volunteers do
not qualify for the national minimum wage. Unpaid work placements should therefore:
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not specify hours of work
not outline duties that a student is expected to perform
never rely on individuals on work experience placements to fulfill real jobs
not be longer than 4 weeks (full time equivalent) in duration
be a learning activity with agreed learning objectives with appropriate dedicated
learning supervision
cover any out of pocket expenses incurred by the student in undertaking the
placement e.g. travel expenses
If you have any queries about whether a position should be offering the national
minimum wage please speak to us at the Careers & Employability Centre. The Pay and
Work Rights helpline is also a free number for help and advice. Tel. 0800 917 2368.
11. We will provide information about employment issues such as tax and work permits or,
where appropriate, direct the student to another source with specialised information and
guidance.
12. If a student is dissatisfied with their employer and believes them to be in breach of
employment law, the Careers and Employability Centre will attempt to give appropriate
guidance but may redirect a request for assistance to an appropriate organisation. In
such circumstances it is solely the responsibility of the student to bring any legal action
against the employer.
13.
We ask all employers to inform students of the outcome of their application.
However this is not always possible if a high number of applications have been received.
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14.
Students carrying out on campus promotions for external companies must obtain
prior agreement from the University of Sussex Students’ Union. Telephone 01273
873874 or email mediasales@sussuexstudent.com for more information.
These proposals are without prejudice to legal obligations which may operate in respect of these matters under Acts of
Parliament or governmental regulations, relating to employment protection, discrimination and/or harassment on grounds of
gender, ethnicity, age, disability, religious belief or sexual orientation etc. It is strongly recommended that good equal
opportunities practice be extended into areas not covered by law. More information about the University’s Equality and Diversity
Policy is available at:- http://www.sussex.ac.uk/equalities/documentsandpolicies
Whilst The Careers and Employability Centre is in no way obliged to take action against any party for breaching any matters as
outlined above, access to its services can be withdrawn at any time.
Updated May 2013