Wages

Most people get a job so that they can get wages at the end of the week or month. However you are paid (either in cash or straight into a bank account), you should get a payslip which tells you how much you have earned and which gives details of anything you have had to pay out from your wages such as Tax, National insurance, Trade Unions, Pension Contributions and/or other subscriptions.

Tax

For more information about Income Tax you can contact the HM Revenue & Customs or go to the information in the pages of the National Youth Association website.

National Insurance

You should get a National Insurance Number sent out to you just before you reach the age of 16. If you don’t receive yours go to your local Connexions Centre who will be able to help you to get one.

For more information about National Insurance go to either the HM Revenue & Customs website or to the pages from the National Youth Association website.

Trade Unions

Trade Unions are the bodies which work towards fair and equal treatment for their members – ask your fellow workers about the union they are a part of. If there is no Union, you can contact the Trades Union congress at 0870 600 4882 or go to the Trades Union website.

Pensions & Retirement

When you start a new job (yes, even at just 16!), it is wise to ask about how the organisation advises you to start planning for your retirement – in other words about how you go about paying for a pension.