Equal Opportunities
Your Rights on training Programmes
Every trainee has the following rights:
1. The right to equal treatment
2. The right to follow an appropriate programme
3. The right to join a trade union (where one exists)
4. The right to an individual training plan that outlines your career aims and training targets
5. The right to safe working conditions, assessed as suitable by the training provider
Those with trainee status have the following additional rights:
6. A written statement of your terms and conditions
7. A maximum working week of 37.5 hours
8. A clear discipline and grievance procedure
9. The right to have time off for the following things (as long as you tell your supervisor in advance): to talk to your Personal Adviser; to do exams; to appear in court; to attend medical and dental appointments; to do training with the reserve forces or cadets.
Employed trainees have these rights, in addition to 1-5 above:
10. The right to a written contract of employment within 2 months of starting. This should include your hours of work, holiday entitlement, and the discipline and grievance procedure.
11. The right to paid time off for ante-natal care
12. A wage and a payslip that shows tax and national insurance contributions
13. The same terms and conditions as other people in the company
14. A maximum working week of 40 hours
Equal Opportunities
All training providers, colleges and schools have to ensure that their provision is open to anyone, providing they meet the selection criteria.
If you feel that you have been treated unfairly, you can complain.
To get support with this, go to your Connexions Centre (see pages 128-130) or CAB (see pages 113-114). If you are already in work and think that you are being discriminated against, discuss it with a union official (if you have one) and your supervisor. If you are still not happy, go to your Connexions Centre or the CAB (Citizens Advice Bureau).
