Don´t forget that you have rights in your student job
When you land a student job, it’s important to understand what rights you have. Because even if you haven’t graduated yet, you actually have quite a bit! Your rights depend primarily on your number of hours and the type of work you do, and student jobs often fall under the Civil Service Act, which means you have certain minimum requirements.
“Your employment status and type of work play a decisive role in determining your rights. Typically, students do white-collar work, such as office or commercial work, when they have jobs relevant to their studies. But there are also students who work in bars, restaurants and other areas, where their rights are often stipulated in an employment contract that is supplemented by a collective agreement in addition to what is stipulated by law,” explains legal group leader in IDA, Rasmus Ahlgreen.
Same rights as full-time employees
The rights you have as a student in a student job are often the same as those that apply to full-time employees. These rights include, for example, minimum rules regarding termination, pay during maternity leave for birth parents, and pay during sickness. For example, you are usually entitled to a notice period if your employer wants to end your employment, but this can vary quite a bit depending on the length of your employment period and the contract.
As for the salary, there is no fixed minimum salary for student jobs in Denmark, but IDA recommends that you negotiate the salary with your employer, even if you are “just” a student.
“IDA has some guide rates for hourly wages based on whether you are at bachelor’s or master’s level, which can serve as a reference during the salary negotiation. However, there is a difference between whether you are employed in the public or the private sector. It is always an opportunity to negotiate your salary, so it is a good idea to try to negotiate before you sign,” says Rasmus Ahlgreen.
Let IDA help you!
You can always contact IDA’s legal advisers and get help with, among other things, salary checks and review of the employment contract before you sign. This also applies to student jobs – regardless of whether they are relevant to studies or not.
Send your contract to us and have it checked.
Remember to review the contract
When it comes to sickness, your rights again depend on your contract and terms of employment.
“If you do not have salaried status and your contract does not contain provisions on pay during illness, you are normally only entitled to the sick pay rate for the hours you are on sick leave. Therefore, it is crucial to review your contract carefully to determine whether you have the right to pay during illness, and if it is not mentioned here, it is also something you can try to negotiate,” says Rasmus Ahlgreen.
In addition, it is also important to note that some employers may offer special terms and conditions in their employment contracts. That’s why it’s crucial to read and understand your contract and make sure your rights and expectations are clearly defined.
“Ultimately, the best advice we can give to students looking for their first student job is to be attentive and thorough in their contract negotiations. Check if your hours are guaranteed and understand the terms and conditions that apply to you. By being well-informed and proactive, you can ensure that you not only get a meaningful study experience, but also fair treatment and pay for your efforts in the study job. And then, of course, you should not hesitate to send the contract to your trade union, so that they can check it through and highlight any errors and shortcomings,” says Rasmus Ahlgreen.
6 good rules to remember before you sign the contract
- Students have rights and requirements that must be complied with in their student jobs, regardless of whether the jobs are professionally relevant or not.
- Rights vary depending on employment status, type of work and contract, but many students fall under the Civil Service Act, which provides certain minimum requirements.
- Students often have the same basic rights as full-time employees, including notice rules, maternity pay and sick pay.
- Minimum wage rates for student jobs do not exist in Denmark, but it is recommended to negotiate salary, even as a student.
- Contracts and terms regarding pay during illness vary and should be reviewed carefully. Negotiation may be possible.
- Read and understand your contract carefully to clarify rights and expectations. Unions can help evaluate the contract.
