[UK TV Freelancers] Work experience; databases

Dear TV Freelancer,
 
1. Work Experience Guidelines
 
As you have probably noticed from the industry press, the campaign against
abusive working conditions has taken a major step forward.
 
Skillset and the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) have now published
new Work Experience Guidelines for the film and TV industry, which for the
first time confirm what TV Wrap, TVFL and BECTU have been claiming all along
- that work experience placements can only legally be unpaid under certain
tightly-defined circumstances; criteria which the majority of placements do
not meet. Anyone who carries out work for an employer must be paid at least
the National Minimum Wage (NMW). Offending employers cannot now claim that
they didn't realise they were breaking the law.
 
The consultation is the result of a sustained pressure campaign mounted by
freelancers and unions making repeated complaints that young people
nominally on "Work Experience" placements were really working without pay.
But early indicators suggest that a few employers are still continuing the
same illegal practice, despite the new guidelines.
 
If anyone encounters working conditions (or spots an ad for a placement)
which appear to breach the Guidelines, BECTU is requesting them to alert the
union by emailing full details to  <mailto:info@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
info@xxxxxxxxxxxx and putting "WORK EXPERIENCE ABUSE" in the message header.
You will also find ongoing discussion on the subject in the Watercooler's
'Sweat Shop' section, where the campaign to challenge abusive working
conditions continues actively. Visit their forum at:
 
http://tvwatercooler <http://tvwatercooler.proboards62.com> .proboards62.com

 
The new guidelines can be found at:- 
 
www.skillset.org/uploads/pdf/asset_9268.pdf?1
 
2. Rates and employer databases
 
Just a reminder that our rates and employer databases are as popular as
ever; but as usual, users are much more eager to look at other people's
information than they are to post their own. Please visit our site at
<http://www.tvfreelancers.org.uk> www.tvfreelancers.org.uk and share
information about your latest freelance job regarding the rate you earned,
and the mark (out of ten) you'd give your employer. It is all completely
anonymous, but many other freelancers will find your experience valuable.
The database is only as useful as the data it contains. Remember - if you're
considering working for a new employer, you can also contact other people
who've worked for that employer through our website; and access to the
database is completely free.
 
That's it for now!
 
All the best,
 
www.tvfreelancers.org.uk

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