Your employment questions answered

Frequently Asked Questions

CV’s:

Workline is now in partnership with The CV Centre -  the UK’s leading CV service. Their competitively priced CV’s start at just £32.50 offering you the advantages of a professionally and powerfully written and well-presented CV.  A curriculum vitae is often all a recruiter or prospective employer has to judge you on, so creating a professional first impression is absolutely vital. We have arranged with The CV Centre to offer Workline clients a Free CV review - click here to advantage of this offer.

Interview Skills Training:

Workline is now in partnership with InterviewGOLD – which is a dynamic Online Interview Skills Training system for candidates.  Developed by recruitment specialists, InterivewGOLD combines an interactive multi-media interview skills course with video practice interviews.  Launched in 2005, InterviewGOLD has been used by thousands of jobseekers and has received praise from users and professionals alike.  Have a look at what they offer – here InterviewGold – Online Interview Skills Training

Pay and Pensions:

• How do I negotiate a Pay/Rate Increase
• I work part-time but think I’m paid a lower hourly rate than my full-time colleagues – can that be right?
• I’ve been off sick and my Employer says they won’t pay me – what am I entitled to?
• My Employer says they can deduct money from our pay if they are not happy with our attendance or work. Can they do this?
• I’d like to contribute to a Pension but my Employer hasn’t got one – what should I do?

Freelancers/Freelance status:

• I’m a Freelancer and my Employer says they are ending my contract early for financial reasons. Can they do this?
• My new Employer wants to pay me on a Freelance basis but I don’t think I can be Freelance. What can I do, how do I know?
• I’m a Freelancer and I’ve completed work for an Employer but the’re ignoring my invoice. What can I do?

Working Parents/Flexible Working:

• My wife has just given birth and I’d like to spend some time with them. Can I take time off work?
• I want to work less hours per week, how do I go about this?

Dismissal/redundancy/Fixed Term contracts/resigning:

• My Employer has said they are making me redundant. Can they do that and am I entitled to any money and any state benefits?
• My Fixed Term contract is coming to an end, what can I do? A friend said I could get a permanent contract, how do I do that?
• My Employer has asked me to attend a disciplinary hearing but I don’t know why. Can I be dismissed?
• I want to leave my job and work elsewhere I don’t have a contract though so don’t know how much notice I should give?

FAQ about References and Bullying:

• I think my last boss has given bad feedback about me on a reference. Can I do anything about this?
• My boss is bullying me and making me really unhappy. A friend has said I should put in a grievance or claim constructive dismissal. What do they mean and what happens?

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If you work in the UK Media Industries and have a question about this or any other topic, please e-mail us at workline@freelanceadvisor.co.uk

If you are an Employer and need ongoing professional help with any staff/freelance issues then talk to us at The HR Kiosk (click here) - a Human Resources Consultancy for small businesses – you can retain us for as much time as you need.

Please note that the advice given on this website and by our Advisors is guidance only and cannot be taken as an authoritative interpretation of the law. It can also not be seen as specific advice for individual cases. Please also note that there are differences in legislation in Northern Ireland.