National Association of Screen Make-up Artists and Hairdressers

WHERE TO GET ADVICE

For advice on employment rights and issues (such as contracts, redundancy, grievances, late payers, holiday pay, sickness, maternity and paternity leave), there are several organisations that provide lots of information:

WORKLINE UK
Workline is a free and confidential service for UK film and television workers run by staff with years of human resource experience in the media. The website has lots of useful information and to deal with a specific issue, call (on 0844 500 8110) or email for advice. Please note they cannot provide advice on careers or finding work.

BECTU
The BECTU website has lots of information about employment rights and what the law says. Some information is available to anyone; however, to get telephone or personal advice, or assistance with an issue, you must be a member of the union.

DIRECT GOV
A government website with a huge amount of information on every aspect of working life, as well as information on lots of other subjects:

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
There is a CAB near most people and they offer advice on pretty much everything. Contact them for specific advice, or go online for their indepth guides to employment rights:

BECTU has produced a pay rates guide to the going daily and weekly rates for make-up and hair personnel, covering television, feature films, commercials, corporate and pop promos.

For new entrants, trainees and those undertaking work experience, please go to careers advice  for more information on the National Minimum Wage.

CONFIRM YOUR BOOKINGS IN WRITING
Getting a written contract from some companies can be tricky. Verbal agreements are legally binding, but it can be difficult to prove this in the event of having to go down the legal route to get your payment or to resolve another issue. BECTU strongly advises freelancers to issue a "confirmation of booking" letter, where you know, or suspect, that a company may not send you a contract.

FURTHER INFORMATION
For general advice on contracts and agreements, go to the website links below. BECTU members can also have contracts personally checked by BECTU for free - contact the union for more information:

PROFESSIONAL & PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE
Public liability insurance is designed to cover you and your business in the event of third party claims being made against you for negligence that have caused persons to suffer injury or illness as a result. It should also provide cover if you were out at a third parties' property and caused damage.

THE UK WORKING TIME REGULATIONS

The WTR state that all workers are entitled to a rest break of at least 11 continuous hours between work days i.e. from wrap time to the personal call time the following day. You are also entitled to a weekly rest break of 24 hours within each 7-day period, or a fortnightly rest period of 48 continuous hours within each 14-day period. The production can legitimately ask you to work into your break, but only for certain circumstances, and you are entitled to get this time back.

Workers cannot be forced to work more than 48 hours per week, though we know a working week in film and television is often much more than this. You agree to 'opt-out' and work more than 48 hours - this has to be in writing.

Long working hours can seriously damage health. There should be an informal arrangement within the department to ensure people get their breaks.

FURTHER INFORMATION
The above information is a guide only. For up-to-date information, go to the following external websites:

Your National Insurance  contributions build up your entitlement to certain social security benefits, including the State Pension. The type and level of NI contributions you pay depends on how much you earn and whether you're employed or self-employed.

Tax can be a complex subject for many - the following guides may help to clarify the basics and your responsibilities as a freelancer: