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Front page / Student life / Student jobs, internships, and project collaborations / Don't forget that you have rights in your student job

Don’t forget that you have rights in your student job

To studerende der har armene rundt om hinanden
Many students are not aware that they actually have rights and requirements when they are employed in a student job. But there are actually a number of common rights relating to conditions, pay, sickness and much more that you should be aware of before you sign the contract for your new student job.

Table of contents

  • This is what you need to understand when you start a student job
  • Same rights as full-time employees
  • Remember to review the contract
  • 6 good rules to remember before you sign the contract
  • Let IDA help you!

Same rights as full-time employees

When you start a student job, it is important to understand what rights you have. Because even though you are not yet fully qualified, you actually have quite a few! Your rights primarily depend on your number of hours and the type of work you do, and often student jobs fall under the Salaried Employees Act, which means you have certain minimum requirements.

Your employment status and type of work play a crucial role in determining your rights. Typically, students perform salaried employee-like work, such as office or commercial work, when they have study-related jobs. But there are also students who work in bars, restaurants, and other areas where their rights are often set out in an employment contract supplemented by a collective agreement in addition to what is stipulated by law.

Rasmus Ahlgreen, Legal team leader at IDA,
How a student job can help you gain experience

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, maternity pay for expectant parents, and sick pay. For example, you are usually entitled to a notice period if your employer wishes to terminate your employment, but this can vary significantly depending on the length of your employment period and the contract.

As for the salary, there is no set minimum wage for student jobs in Denmark, but IDA recommends that you negotiate the salary with your employer, even if you are “just” a student.

Get the optimal conditions at your student job
IDA has some indicative hourly rates based on whether you are at bachelor or master’s level, which can serve as a reference during salary negotiations. However, there is a difference between being employed in the public or private sector. It is always possible to negotiate your salary, so it is a good idea to try to negotiate before you sign.
Rasmus Ahlgreen, Legal team leader at IDA,
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Remember to review the contract

When it comes to illness, your rights again depend on your contract and employment conditions.

If you do not have salaried employee status and your contract does not include provisions for sick pay, you are usually only entitled to the sickness benefit rate for the hours you are off sick. Therefore, it is crucial to review your contract carefully to determine if you are entitled to sick pay, and if it is not mentioned, it is also something you can try to negotiate.
Rasmus Ahlgreen, Legal team leader at IDA,

Additionally, it is also important to note that some employers may offer special terms and conditions in their employment contracts. Therefore, it is crucial to read and understand your contract and ensure that your rights and expectations are clearly defined.

Ultimately, the best advice we can give to students seeking their first student job is to be attentive and thorough in their contract negotiations. Check if your number of hours is guaranteed, and understand the terms and conditions that apply to you.

By being well-informed and proactive, you can ensure that you not only gain meaningful study experience but also receive fair treatment and pay for your efforts in the student job. And of course, you should not hesitate to send the contract to your union so they can check it and highlight any errors and omissions.

Get legal help with your contract here from IDA.

What to know about salary and conditions when doing an internship as a Bachelor of Engineering

6 good rules to remember before you sign the contract

  1. Students have rights and requirements that must be observed in their student jobs, whether the jobs are professionally relevant or not.
  2. Rights vary depending on employment status, type of work, and contract, but many students fall under the Salaried Employees Act, which provides certain minimum requirements.
  3. Students often have the same basic rights as full-time employees, including termination rules, maternity pay, and sick pay.
  4. Minimum wage rates for student jobs do not exist in Denmark, but it is recommended to negotiate salary, even as a student.
  5. Contracts and terms regarding sick pay vary and should be reviewed carefully.
  6. Negotiation may be possible. Read and understand your contract carefully to clarify rights and expectations. Unions can help assess the contract.

Let IDA help you!

You can always contact IDA’s legal advisors and get help with, among other things, salary checks and review of the employment contract before you sign. This also applies to student jobs – whether they are study-related or not.

Get legal advice here

Related

We hope you have become more informed about your rights as a student assistant. Remember, you can always contact IDA for advice. Below you will find related content.
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As a member of IDA, you can always use our advisory services to review all the legal aspects of your contract as a student assistant. Additionally, you can also use our advisory services to get good advice in your search for the coolest student job.
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