Guidelines for Employers taking a student on Placement
We would expect employers to;
 Treat the recruitment of placement students in the same way and using the same
procedure as for any other staff, e.g. in drawing up job and person specifications,
contracts of employment, thinking through appropriate remuneration packages,
considering Health & Safety, and complying with all relevant UK employment legislation
including working-time directive, holiday time entitlement, payment of national
insurance, tax.
 Provide the student with a copy of their written contract of employment. The contract
should detail hours of work, salary paid, holiday allocation, period of notice from
employer (and notice to be given by the student) and any other details pertinent to their
employ and subject to employment law requirements.
 Ensure a suitable staff to student ratio. We consider this to be normally a minimum of
one full-time staff member to every student employed. This is to allow appropriate
support and development for the student and business contingency for the employer.
Consider appointing a mentor.
 Provide full induction and training including Health and Safety issues.
 Note that in the UK, employers have full legal liability for students as employees.
 Know that, in the absence of any written contract of employment, UK employment
legislation will be applied, in particular for aspects such as notice period required from a
student. See (ACAS) www.acas.org.uk for further information.
 Pay the student. During the placement year the student is an employee of your
organisation; they are expected to work the same hours as other staff and are paid a
salary. The majority of our placements in the UK are paid, with the salary dependent
upon location and industry, degree of responsibility and hours worked. However, for
some charity organisations or voluntary work, it is possible that the student may be
provided with reimbursement of travelling costs if a full salary is not available. The
actual amount is a matter for negotiation between the student and employer.
 Provide feedback – this could be a reference, statement, company appraisal or
university feedback form on the conduct and performance of the student.
 Communicate with both the student and university representatives in order that all
parties get the best from the placement.