Get important information upfront
Your child should be encouraged to ask their employer upfront about their working conditions before they agree to begin.
Children are unsure of the questions they should be asking of the employer concerning work.
Young student workers say that they are reluctant to ask many questions initially. Encourage your child to ask about some of the basics before they formally accept a job.
Pay
- The rate of pay for regular time, Sundays and public holidays.
Job Description
- Student employees need to know the ins and outs of their job; they need to know what level of performance is expected of them. Having clear expectations and job duties helps students take control of their positions; it helps them become more independent and this helps their professional development.
Training
- Find out if there will be a training period.
- NSW law stipulates that all training must be paid.
Rosters
- Encourage your child to look at their school schedule and any other commitments which may interfere before agreeing to a regular shift.
- Find out about starting times and finishing times. Many students say that they rely on parents and carers for transport and they need to know when to ask for a lift.
- Employers of large numbers of students frequently re-write their shift schedules at the start of each term in order to accommodate changing timetables.
Probation
- Probationary periods generally last three months but that may vary according to the applicable award or agreement.
- All probationary periods must be paid.
- Probationary periods should conclude with a performance review so that new employees know that they are accepted and are secure.
Meals and Breaks
- NSW laws require that each employee must be provided with a minimum break of 30 minutes after five hours work.
- The break does not have to be paid time.
- Young workers may be eligible for discounts on food consumed on the premises if the business is involved in the hospitality business.
Uniforms
- It is important to find out about what students should wear to work and any other conditions (like wearing a hair net in food preparation areas).
- Where required, uniforms are normally provided by the employer but are maintained by the employee. Find out if the uniform must be returned if the student leaves employment.