Important General Information for Students on Living and
Working on Concordia Farms
Before you arrive
It is very important that you read all the information that has been sent to you about your work placement before you come to the
UK.
The farm information you have been given is supplied to Concordia by the farmer. It is updated
regularly and we have tried to ensure that it is as accurate as possible but minor changes may have been made without Concordia being advised. If, on arrival you feel that the working and living conditions have not been accurately described, please contact a member of staff of Concordia.
If you need to obtain a UK visa in order to take up your work here, you must allow 4 weeks for this, as at certain times of the year the visa sections of British Embassies get very busy. In addition, if you are planning to travel other than by air, you must allow enough time to obtain a Schengen visa.
You should ensure that you arrive at the farm on the start date stated on your work period. If you are likely to be late, you should advise the farmer of your expected arrival date. If your anticipated arrival date is less than one week later than the date stated, your employer will appreciate knowing this information in advance and can plan accordingly. If you have been unavoidably delayed for more than two weeks you should ensure that your Agent notifies
Concordia of this as it may be necessary to replace you at the farm with another person. If this
happens Concordia would look for another placement for you with a later start date. However, alternative employment is not possible without prior knowledge of the expected arrival date and
in those circumstances you may have to return home. Similarly, you should not arrive at the farm too early. Accommodation is prepared in readiness for the start date stated and may not
be ready. Alternatively, students from a previous work period may still be using the accommodation and there may be no spare beds.
On arrival in the UK you must follow the travel instructions you have been given. If the farmer
asks you to arrive between particular hours and you arrive later, do not expect your employer to collect you from the bus station. Most farmers begin work early each day and therefore go to
bed early and you should be aware that some farms will not accept students outside specified hours. You will have to wait until the following day before contacting the farm. In these circumstances, you must ensure you have enough money to pay for overnight accommodation.
You must be prepared to work well and consistently as required by your employer. We are not offering a cheap holiday; the placement you have accepted is meant as a serious work
experience and if you are not prepared to work hard you should not come. At first, you will find
the work hard but if you listen carefully during your training period, you should be able to pick effectively within two weeks. After this time, as you become used to the work, your skills will improve, you will be more efficient and your wages will reflect this. Do NOT expect all this to happen within the first week!
You MUST stay for the full period for which you are booked or your deposit will not be refunded, whatever the circumstances. In addition, if you do not fulfill your commitment and complete the placement, it is unlikely we will be able to offer you future work.
Insurance
If you have taken out holiday insurance with Concordia, you will be given a copy of the policy. Please note that it is not a medical insurance policy. If you prefer to take out your own holiday insurance you will have already provided Concordia with evidence that you have a similar policy
in place. The Concordia holiday insurance offers the following:
- In the event of a serious injury occurring during your stay, arrangements will be made to return you to your home country as quickly as possible, either by normal air routes or air ambulance if necessary.
- Loss of money, travel tickets travelers, cash, cheques and credit cards up to £250
- Loss or damage to personal belongings up to £500 will be insured. (There is an item limit
of £150). In order to claim on this section you must report the loss to the police within
24 hours.
The insurance policy does not offer emergency dental and optical treatment. Details of how to make a claim are on the policy document. The Insurance policy is valid for a maximum of six months. If you leave the Concordia programme the insurance policy becomes invalid. It is possible for EU students to extend the policy for a further six months if they intend to take up long term employment with the farm. You are entitled to free emergency medical treatment whilst you are working here but you may be asked to pay for non-emergency medical
appointments, depending on whether your government and Britain have reciprocal agreements.
For this reason you may wish to consider taking out a medical insurance policy before leaving your country.
You are entitled to free emergency medical treatment whilst you are working here. EU students should bring a copy of an E128 form which permits you to have medical treatment on the health service.
What you should bring
You must bring a sleeping bag, warm working clothes, waterproof clothing, rubber boots or sturdy waterproof footwear. Please ensure that your sleeping bag is a warm one as
temperatures in the United Kingdom can be considerably lower than most European countries!
It is essential to bring at least £100 in sterling or equivalent currency with you. This is enough
for traveling expenses to the farm, and your living costs until the first pay day (usually after the first week of work). In the event of the harvest beginning later than anticipated, it will be sufficient to cover your living costs until your first pay day.
Starting Work at the Farm
When you arrive at the farm, you need to show your employer the following items:
- Your work card. You must keep this securely with your passport.
- Your passport.
- Your medical certificate.
- Your educational certificate
- International driving license, if you have one
Your employer will make copies of the relevant documents and check your identity before returning them to you.
Before you start work the farmer will give you an induction which will include details of your
hours of work, rates of pay and other employment particulars required under UK law. You may
be charged a deposit to be held until your departure in the event of any damage to the farm accommodation. Your employer may also ask you to sign a document concerning an agreement
to work more than 48 hours per week. This agreement applies throughout Europe and means that although at busy times your employer may offer you more than 48 hours work per week,
he can only do so if you have signed an agreement stating that you are willing to do so should it
be necessary. You should understand that this amount of additional work does not occur every week and may not even occur at all.
You are entitled to a minimum number of rest breaks under the Agricultural Wages Board Order and European Working Time Directive including a minimum off 11 uninterrupted hours between each working day and one whole day off a week.
At your induction you will also shown the work you will be doing and given any important Health and Safety advice.
You must pay close attention to the Health and Safety instructions you are given as they are very important, particularly with regard to the use of any machinery, vehicles or chemicals. Below is a list of important Health and Safety reminders.
- Never drive any car or tractor without your employer's permission
- Never operate any machine unless you have been trained to do so and specifically asked
to by your employer.
- Never drive a farm vehicle unless you have a driving licence, valid for use in the UK (your employer will need to see a copy).
- Never drive a fork-lift truck unless you have been given a training course and have a valid
UK certificate
- Always be very careful about your own and other people's safety in the workplace.
- Never handle any agro-chemicals and always comply with all the signs and notices about chemicals.
If you think you have been placed in an unsafe working environment, you should first speak to your employer or contact Concordia.
You will be expected to behave in a polite and cooperative manner to both your employer and other students or workers on the farm. Every farm will have their own rules and conditions,
these may not be the same as another farm you have worked on but are designed for safety in
the workplace, hygiene and the demands of the purchaser of the produce. For instance, no smoking is allowed whilst you are working in the field and all jewellery must be removed if you
are working in a pack-house. All employees are expected to follow the rules and if you break them, disciplinary action will be taken against you, which will probably start with a warning. If you persist in misbehaving, or your behaviour is sufficiently serious you may be dismissed immediately and asked to leave the farm. If you are dismissed Concordia will not be able to
offer you any other work, you will have to return home and will not be offered any further
opportunity to come through Concordia again.
Accommodation
The accommodation that is provided will be detailed in the farm information sheet. This will vary from farm to farm, but the cost will reflect the quality of the accommodation. Concordia
monitors accommodation to ensure that minimum standards are maintained. At a minimum you farm will provide accommodation that is clean, sanitary, provides easy access to hot and cold running water, and will ensure you have daily access to washroom and food preparation
facilities.
Some farms include the costs of extras such as gas, trips out etc, and some charge additional sums for these.
Concordia monitors accommodation to ensure that minimum standards are maintained. Your farm will provide accommodation that is clean, sanitary, provides easy access to hot and cold running water, and that you have daily access to washroom and food preparation facilities.
You will be expected to maintain your accommodation and other living/cooking/washing/toilet areas in a clean condition. Please keep perishable foods (such as butter, milk, meats or fish) in the refrigerator. Put other food away in the cupboards provided as it can attract vermin (mice
and rats) if you leave it out.
Some farms also charge a deposit for the accommodation. This will be returned provided you leave the accommodation in a clean and undamaged condition.
Your employer is obliged to offer accommodation, which is detailed in the farm information sheets. You are not obliged to accept it and are legally permitted to find alternative
accommodation nearby, as long as the alternative accommodation is close enough to your place
of work to enable you to arrive on time for work each day. Rents charged by farms are very reasonable compared to commercial rates in most regions of Britain.
There are also some Health & Safety issues which you need to consider in relation to your accommodation which are listed below.
- Never interfere with any gas appliances and immediately report any defects or cracks.
- Never take the batteries out of the smoke alarms in the accommodation as this will put your own and other students' lives at risk.
- Never touch the wiring on any electrical appliance, particularly where water is used, such
as the shower or a washing machine.
- Do not remove fire blankets from the accommodation or kitchen areas, someone else
might need them urgently. Also do not add any electrical heaters to your accommodation without the permission of your employer. Heaters use up a lot of electricity and may
cause the whole electrical system on the farm to fail, or cause a fire.
- Remember if you buy second hand electrical goods, you should have them checked out
by a qualified electrician. Faulty electrical goods are one of the most common causes of fires. It may seem like an inexpensive purchase, but if you cause a fire and lose all your possessions it could cost you and others a great deal of money.
- Never block any emergency exits.
- Make sure you know who to contact in an emergency.
Your Leisure Time
This is one of the most important sections. Everyone wants you to enjoy your stay in the UK,
but unfortunately some of the most serious incidents occur out of working hours. This is why we are going to give you some reminders about your safety and some information about English
law.
Driving
If it is your first time in Britain please remember to drive on the left side of the road. Roundabouts feature frequently on British road and can be hazardous, remember to drive in a clockwise direction around them. You must respect the speed limits indicated in towns and villages, these are in miles not kilometres. Our motorways also have speed cameras to ensure
that you do not exceed the speed limits. You and your passengers must wear seat belts whilst
driving, even those passengers in the back of the vehicle. You are not allowed to use your mobile phone whilst driving, if you wish to answer the phone or use it, you should pull to the side of the road before doing so.
Cars
If you plan to bring your own with you to the farm, you need to ask permission from the farmer first, as many farm owners do not allow cars on their premises. We would also strongly recommend that you do not buy a car while you are in the UK, many of the cars for sale at auctions, although cheap, are not roadworthy. It is illegal to drive any car you have bought
here without insurance, a road tax certificate and, if the car is more than 3 years old, it must
have a Ministry of Transport Roadworthy certificate (MOT). Insurance for young people less
than 25 years of age is extremely expensive and road tax has to be purchased for a minimum of
six months costs about £80. If you ignore our advice and purchase a vehicle, you should ask to see the current MOT certificate before you buy it. You must ask your employer whether you
can keep the car on his land. He will be familiar with the local garages and may be willing to assist you. It is much safer and more sensible to hire a car for specific trips or holidays as the expenses can be shared by all those traveling in it, hire company’s offer very reasonable rates
for differing periods of time, the vehicle is usually an up-to-date model and has adequate insurance cover.
Taking a car without the permission of the owner is a serious offence and you may be prosecuted by the police for doing so. Almost certainly, if you take one of the farm vehicles without the farmer's consent you will be dismissed.
Alcohol
Almost everyone enjoys a drink, however, the primary reason for your visit to the UK is to work and your employer needs you to be sober every morning. It is not the custom in the UK to drink
alcohol before arriving at work and you must ensure that you do not drink so much during the
evening that it affects you the next day, either by not being able to go to work at all, or working ineffectively.
Alcohol can have long-lasting effects and if you drink too much during the evening, it may have
Health & Safety implications. This particularly applies if you are driving or using machinery as
part of your work. Your employer reserves the right not to employ you unless you are sober and you will be sent back to your accommodation if you are not fit for work.
Drinking and Driving
It is illegal to drive a car in the UK when you have had more than a specific amount to drink;
this means approximately two glasses of wine, OR two large UK size beers, OR one UK measure
of spirits, (i.e. whisky, vodka or gin). Please remember that most road accidents amongst our students are due to an excess of alcohol being consumed.
- NEVER drive a vehicle if you have exceeded the safe limits of alcohol
- NEVER get into a car with someone who has been drinking more than the recommended amount.
If you are unsure, take a taxi or walk home if the distance is not too far. This may seem
expensive or a nuisance, but compared to the potential costs in health or loss of earnings if you have an accident, the inconvenience is small. Drinking and driving in the UK is a serious offence and you may be prosecuted and imprisoned if you are caught.
Noise
All employers understand that young people like to party! However, please check with your employer that it will not disturb anyone if you want to have loud music playing late at night. Please also remember that, although you may have a day off the next day, there may be some students or people living close by who have to get up early in the morning.
Drugs
In the UK it is illegal to take non-prescription drugs of any kind, this means drugs which have
not been specifically prescribed for you by a doctor. This includes cannabis (dope) ecstasy (E's)
cocaine or heroin. If you are found in possession of, or using any non-prescription drug, you may well be dismissed by your employer. You may also be liable to prosecution by the police and/or deported. We will also report any drug related incident to your university.
Shoplifting
Shoplifting means taking goods from shops which have not been paid for. In the UK many shops have sophisticated security systems where shoppers are surveyed on camera. If you are caught shoplifting, you will be detained in the shop and the police will be called. You will then be taken
to a police station, where you will probably be arrested and charged with theft. If you are not
charged, then you will be cautioned, this is not proof that you are innocent, this means that it is the first time you have been caught stealing and you are given a warning only by the police. In this situation, both the farm and Concordia are advised. It is Concordia’s policy to advise the
farm to terminate the contract of employment of students caught shoplifting. Such students have to return home early and their universities and parents are informed. Universities are
understandably angry when advised of this sort of behaviour; they consider their students have
let down the reputation of the university and discipline them accordingly.
In any of the circumstances described above, Concordia would not offer you work on any other farm and you would have to return home.
A Warning About Theft
Every year some students have their money and /or possessions stolen by other people, not necessarily students. As you can imagine, it is devastating to have your money or other items stolen when you have worked so hard for them. If you have taken up Concordia’s insurance policy, your personal items are insured against loss or theft from the time you arrive in Britain
(see Insurance) but you may wish to take out a separate insurance policy to cover the period of
travel between Britain and your home country. It is important to take care of your possessions and never to keep large amounts of money with you or keep cash in your accommodation.
Cash cards
If your employer is able to open a bank account for you, you will be issued with a cash card to enable you to draw cash from a cash machine. The card will have a limit on the amount you
can draw at any one time. Your card will be sent to you through the post, but you cannot use it until you have been issued with a PIN number. This will arrive separately for security reasons
and is required each time you draw money. DO NOT give this number to other people, even
friends. Once your PIN number is known to others it is possible for them to draw cash from
your account. The best thing to do is to memories the number and destroy the piece of paper.
General
If you have any problems at the farm and wish to make a complaint, you should first raise this with the farmer. Some students find this difficult, perhaps because their language skills are
poor, they are too shy to do so or they think their employer will be angry. If so you can write or telephone a member of the Concordia staff, or speak to the Concordia Field Officer who will visit
the farm during your stay. If you are not comfortable with these suggestions, you should
contact your agent either by phone or email and explain the problem. The agent will advise us
of the situation. Once we are aware of the nature of the problem, we will advise your employer and together we will help you to resolve it.
This placement offers you a unique opportunity to live and work in another country. You can enjoy sight-seeing; sports; contact with students from other countries and good earnings.
Please remember that your farmer is relying on your labour and expects you to work hard and
behave responsibly and considerately to the other students at the farm.
We want you to enjoy your experience in the UK and return home safely to your family at the end of it. If you take the advice offered above, it should increase your chances of both a safe and enjoyable stay in the UK. Thank you for reading this paper!
EU & SAWS Participant notice.
SAWS participants are reminded that they should not travel to the Home Office
buildings in Sheffield to find out about any application requests or passport returns
as Public Enquiry facilities do not exist at present.
SAWS participants should make contact with the Home Office either by phone, fax
or e-mail. Alternatively they may wish to discuss the nature of the enquiry with
either their Farm Manager or Operator and if necessary they will contact the Home
Office directly.
If you have applied to extend your leave to remain under the SAWS
scheme and you have not received your passport 2 weeks prior to return
travel you should contact:
E-mail: Ops1.in-country@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0114 2595999/0114 2595777
Fax: 0114 2595744/0114 2593749
If you have applied to register under the Workers Registration Scheme
and you have not received your passport 2 weeks prior to return travel
you should contact:
E-mail: wrs@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 0114 2596262
Fax: 0114 2595961
Work Permits (UK)
PO Box 3468
Sheffield
S3 8WA
