Help Needed For T&c's For An Internship ...

[CheesecakeLover]

Hello,

I have what might seem as a silly question to some, but I'm seeking clarity.

I've applied for an internship position which states in the company's Details document under the Wages and Expenses section.. "Interns are not counted as employees and are not entitled to employee benefits provided to the company's employees in excess of the statutory minimum, such as additional paid holidays, enhanced sick pay, pension contributions or notice termination".

And just to let you know, this is a 6 month paid (NMW) programme and hours are 37.5 spread over 5 days.

If accepted for the role, I know I will need to take a few days off for personal reasons. Will I be allowed to take time off or will it go against what is stated above?

If anyone could shed light on the above, I'd be grateful.

Thanks in advance.

[Peaspeculiars]

Cheesecake, it looks as though you are still entitled to standard holiday (however many days were agreed in your formal contract. But not to any 'Additional' paid holiday.
If you needed to take the days off for personal reasons, you would have to book them as part of your normal annual leave entitlement. Or, you could ask for unpaid holiday if you had used up all of your AL entitlement.

You should have some paid Annual Leave holiday entitlement as part of the main contract - this just states that additional can't be taken, unless it's unpaid.
Hope this helps :-) - sorry, I do 'whitter on' a bit

[buildersmate]

What this means is that you get the minimum statutory employment.
Which means 14 days including public holidays, as the minimum number of days annually on 5 days/wk working is 28. If you are starting shortly, 5 of these 14 days will occur over Xmas, NY and Easter. Check if the firm closes for more days over Xmas, as you might have to take even more.
The rest you can apply to have as you wish but it leaves just 9. Your time off will probably have to come out of these remaining 9, as it is is not normally a contractual obligation for an employer to grant unpaid leave.

[AlwaysConfused]

How do you know that you will need time off for personal reasons? Are you foreseeing personal issues? If so, what are they?

[buildersmate]

Perhaps OP would like the question answered than have to explain the personal circumstances.

[CheesecakeLover]

Sorry I should have mentioned that that internship is due to start until the New Year. But interviews will be taking place within the next few weeks.

Peaspeculiars and buildersmate, thank you for responding and for providing helpful answers - you've cleared up my confusion. I'm very grateful :)