A-levels - Short for Advanced Level, A-levels come after GCSEs. They usually focus on academic subjects, compared to vocational qualifications, which are often more practical. There are more than 40 different A-level subjects on offer – some will be subjects that you studied at GCSE and others may be new.

Code of Conduct – Set of rules outlining responsibilities and proper practices for an individual and organisation.

Contract of Employment – An agreement between the employer and employee including details of pay, working hours, holidays, job title, job description, place of work, probationary period, pension, notice and grievance procedure.     

Day Release – Allowing employees a day, or part of a day, off work to undertake education courses.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - DWP are the UK department responsible for benefit payments, employment services and welfare to work policies. DWP is responsible for welfare and pension policy and is a key player in tackling child poverty. It is the biggest public service delivery department in the UK and serves over 20 million customers. For further information please visit the DWP website.

Equal Pay – The right for both men and woman to be paid the same for the same or equivalent work and is an aspect of the sex discrimination law.

Equality and Diversity – Organisations should have practices and policies in place under the Equality Act to ensure all workers are treated equally and given the same opportunities regardless of their race, sex, gender, age, disability religion, sexual orientation, marriage, pregnancy or maternity.

Flexi Time – Working a set number of hours with start and finish times chosen between agreed limits.

Gross Misconduct - Unacceptable or improper behaviour of a very serious kind by an employee which destroys the employee/employer relationship and merits instant dismissal without notice or pay in lieu of notice.

Insubordination – Explicitly refusing to carry out a direct order from someone superior.

Job Specification – A statement including a detailed description of the role, including all responsibilities, objectives and requirements.

National Insurance – The system of compulsory payments by employees and employers to provide state assistance for people who are sick, unemployed, or retired.

National Minimum Wage – (NMW). The National Minimum Wage is the minimum pay per hour almost all workers are entitled to. The National Living Wage is higher than the National Minimum Wage - workers get it if they're over 25. It doesn't matter how small an employer is, they still have to pay the correct minimum wage.  More information can be found on the website. 

Negligence – Conduct that breaches a duty to take care of employees.

NEET - The cohort of young people aged 15 - 19 who are Not in Education, Employment or Training.

Networking – Interact with others to exchange information to develop professional and social contacts

P45 – A certificate provided to an employee at the end of employment providing details of their tax code, gross pay and annual tax paid. This must be passed to their net employer.

P60 – Also known as the end of year certificate. This is a statement issued to employees at the end of the tax year showing how much tax they have paid.

Paid in Lieu – Payment to an employee for a notice period that they do not have to work.

Pay Rise – An increase in the amount of money you earn for doing your job.

Payroll Number – A set of numbers assigned to an employee as a reference for their salary, usually three to eight digits long. This number can be located on your payslip.

Payroll – The total amount of money that a company pays to its employees.

Payslip – Can be available electronically or paper based. Records how much you have been paid and the deductions that have been made such as tax and insurance.

Person Description – Describes the personal attributes desired in a potential employee for a particular role. 

Post 16 Institution - An institution that provides education or training for those over compulsory school age.

Professionalism – Refers to your conduct and qualities to mark a professional person such as competency, honesty, integrity, image, time management, being personable, appropriate dress, no swearing, remaining positive, be helpful, honesty.

Promotion - The next step up of an employee's position within the organisation.

Redundancy – Dismissing an employee because the job no longer exists. Employees may qualify for redundancy pay.

Resignation – Telling your employer that you are leaving your job.

Salary – A fixed payment usually paid on a monthly basis but quoted on an annual basis.

Secondment – Temporary transfer of a worker from one position to another.

Sick Leave – Leave of absence granted because of illness. If you are absent for more than 7 days in a row you have to provide your employers with a ‘fit note' / sick note provided from your doctor.

Stakeholder - Individuals or organisations who have an active interest or a stake in a particular issue. In employment, this could include funders, policy makers, service delivery partners, individuals, health professionals, etc.

Tax Code – The amount of tax you pay depends upon how much income you earn. Different people have different tax codes depending on their circumstances.

Tribunal – An independent group of people who work to settle employment disputes.

Unfair Dismissal – The ending of employment without good reason.

Vocational Qualifications - Practical qualifications that relate to a specific job or career sector. Unlike more academic courses like A-levels, they combine a mix of theory and practical learning and you’ll probably do some work experience too. There’s a huge range of different courses that you can do, and many types of qualifications you can get, from entry level to advanced. The length of the course depends on what level you study at.

Wages – Payment based on the number of hours worked typically paid on a daily or weekly basis.

Zero Hour Contract – Allows employers to hire staff with no guarantee of work. They mean employees work only when they are needed by employers, often at short notice. Their pay depends on how many hours they work.