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WORKgateways UK e-newsletter

Monthly e-News for the UK Working Traveler

7th May 2003 Volume 1 Issue 6

WORKgateways e-newsletter is written for UK working travellers whether you are in the UK, impatiently awaiting your departure date or thinking about going in the future….scroll down to view this month’s topics, articles and info.

Contents

Introductory Comments: It’s here!

What’s New

In the UK!

Still in Australia/NZ/SA/Canada?

In Every Issue:

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Introductory Comments

It’s finally here, with May Day past we are officially in the Spring season. This is a fabulous time to be in Great Britain.

Let me furnish you with a small list of must-do UK Spring items:

  • Get out of your flat or office as much as possible and replenish your depleted stores of Vitamin D.
  • Drink beer and Pimms outside at your work local enjoying the ever-increasing daylight hours.
  • Put away the black and grey clothes - at least for a few months; can you find your sunnies?
  • Stroll along the Thames or other river or canal nearby to you, Ascot or other horse races, outdoor markets, Hyde Park, Hampstead Heath or other park or natural area near to you.

If this is your first Spring in the UK you may have not experience this type of Spring fever so common in the northern hemisphere which stems from deprivation of sunlight and double digit temperatures. People might actually smile and you might find that work is the last thing on people’s minds. This starts at Easter, continues through May Day and builds to a ‘silent’ crescendo in August. ‘Silent’ because no one is around, they are all on holiday for the month.

JS
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What’s New:

1) Update on proposed changes to the UK Working Holiday Maker s scheme:

This year's UK Budget statement to the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was given on April 9th. At long last there was mention of the future of the previously proposed changes to the WHMS or the UK working holiday visa rules.

The budget speech suggested, in a vague manner somewhat typical of such announcements, that some of the changes suggested in the white paper would be implemented ‘some time soon’.

The excerpt is as follows: ‘The Government is also introducing changes to the Working Holidaymakers Scheme, under which young Commonwealth citizens can work in the UK for up to two years, to make it more flexible and responsive to labour market needs. Working Holidaymakers will in future be able to take up work in any sector, move freely between employers, and switch into work permit employment after one year in the UK.”

This is excellent news in that it signifies official changes in the near future but still leaves us in a bit of a grey area regarding the proposal to raise the age limit from 27 to 30 and to allow for a second working holiday visa, of both there is no specific mention. It is anticipated that these intentions will become clearer when official announcements are made.

When? Well, there has been some indication from the Home Office that official changes will be announced this month – hopefully providing closure to at least some of the myriad questions floating around regarding this white paper and its implementation. We will update our site with any news as we receive it.

2) For June’s best trip idea:

Win a bottle of Kiwi White delivered to your door in the UK. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc anyone? Email: jane@workgateways.com

Past issues of WG e-News are now on-line http://www.workgateways.com/newsletter.html.

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In the UK!

Negotiating a pay increase

This should be your moment of triumph where, full of confidence and conviction you and your employer reach the best win-win scenario possible. But for many people, this can be an awkward, embarrassing and stressful experience. How should you handle this situation?

The key to ensuring this all goes well is…your Attitude! Be realistic about what you want to achieve and know WHY your employer should be coming to the party. For your employer to be giving you more money (from their potentially tight budget) they will need to clearly see how you add value to the company, team or project and see you as a tangible contribution to the solution as they strive to reach their own goals, budgets, time-lines etc.

Please, please, please avoid cornering your boss. For example, making comparisons with a colleague can put your employer in an awkward position. Besides, you are selling yourself, not leveraging off of someone else. If you accurately and enthusiastically present your high or improved level of skills or commitment, the fact that you are better than ‘Jack’ probably will not escape your team leader or manager anyway.

Before you even think about having a “little chat”, have a good think about what your employer is tyring to achieve and then think how you are part of the solution. More to the point, how have you improved in being part of the solution? For example, you might mention recent successes, meeting deadlines, significant improvement in relevant software skills, increased sales, increased responsibility, or increased knowledge of relevant UK standards, regulations or similar.

If you don’t get the pay rise you anticipated, don’t worry too much. Your employer may not be flush with cash or perhaps it was just bad timing. It doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t value you. Ultimately, you are still in control here! You have options to consider; you could look for employment elsewhere or you could be comfortable in the fact that you put your best foot forward. The good news is that having highlighted to your employer what a great job you are doing, when the time for company raises does come, you could well be first in line.

Note! If you are working through an agency - speak to your recruitment consultant first! They can, and often will, make things happen for you and should be skilled in the art of win-win negotiation.

The most important think to remember in any sort of negotiation is that everyone must come out a winner.

Good luck!
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Top London Tip: Greenwich

Although the east end and the Docklands are experiencing a booming revival, still most working travellers in London tend to base themselves out west. If you have not yet explored the Thames as it snakes in an easterly direction towards its mouth at South-end on Sea…check it out. In particularly the former ‘little village’ of Greenwich. Greenwich is a proper and stately-looking place that is of course now connected to London’s urban sprawl. Yet it still retains a definite sea-side feel. The fish and chips shops, green lawns, markets and traditional style pubs are scattered throughout the few main streets.
A must is a climb up the hill to The Observatory where Greenwich Mean Time begins and you can stand on the Prime Meridian or 0 degrees longitude.

You can get to Greenwich by taking the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) which begins at Bank tube station. Or, you can make use of the relatively new Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf, and then switch to the DLR south to Greenwich. You have the option of either getting off the DLR at Island Gardens and walking through the pedestrian tunnel under the Thames to Cutty Sark and then walk to Greenwich in just a few minutes. Or you could just take the DLR all the way to Greenwich and forget about the walk.

Saturdays in warm weather can be very crowded as Londoners escape to soak up the village atmosphere and open spaces, and distinct lack of anything over three stories. (excellent for next month)

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Still In Australia/NZ/SA/Canada?

FAQ of the month:

Q. I heard about this site from a friend from work... I want to go to London, England and see a few friends that live there. I will stay with them and come back after a few months, at the end of summer. I want to know if I need a working visa before I go, or can I get one when I get there. Cameron, Canada

A. If you arrive in the UK without your visa you will need to enter as a visitor or tourist. That means you cannot work. Once in the UK you could NOT apply for a working holiday visa - you’d have to leave the country. Therefore, the best idea would be to get your working holiday visa before you leave your home country.
Note: you are only, at this point in time, allowed one working holiday visa in your life. Before you use it to travel for just a few months be sure that you won’t regret that a few years later when you’d like to spend two full years living in the UK but cannot. Currently the upper age limit for a UK working holiday visa is 27 years. (Please note: We are not a Visa Agency and you should check with official UK government information at www.ukvisas.gov.uk)


When to Travel, When to Work? Workable Trip Planning Options

This Month: Trip Plan 2:

If you are originating Down Under: Fly Australia/NZ to Asia, have a quick stopover for some shopping and then straight onto London to find work as soon as possible. During your stay in the UK you can do longer term trips throughout Europe, North Africa, and the Near East: Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Egypt to name a few.

There are more than enough travel options to keep you revising your list of top travel destinations whilst based in the UK. You could then visit Asia on the way home for some bargain tailor made suits and South America will still be there for another time. Myriad options exist for short breaks during your time in the UK as well – exotic destinations are close at hand and budget airlines vie for your pounds. Check out www.planesimple.co.uk

Next Month: Trip Template three…

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In Every Issue:

Trip Idea #6: Notes from Turkey…

You may have not made it this year for Anzac Day at Gallipoli, why not pencil it in for next year? Or even just book a last minute deal and do it now. The weather should be getting warmer, and well, although Turkey is still exotic, it’s not that far away once you are in the UK. Read on to hear one Aussie’s Turkey travel tale….

“Well, I’ve made it back to London safe and sound after my trip to Turkey. I had the best time! It started off a bit shaky though - my flight was cancelled and my luggage was lost for the first two days and it rained the whole time.

But after all that, it was perfect! The people were so friendly; just falling over themselves to help you out (a nice change from the grumpy bums of London!). Given our travelling party of one male and two females, Damien was offered numerous camels and chickens for his "two wives". The Turkish men thought he was a sultan with his two women, and he lapped up the attention!

In all we covered just over 3000km - a big trip, but well worth it. The country-side was so great to see. They are still living so innocently, old men out ploughing with donkey's and families riding their horse and buggy into town. The path we followed took us from Istanbul-Ankara-Cappadoccia-Pummukkle-Selcik-Galipolli and back to Istanbul.
While it rained and was freezing cold the whole time, luckily for us all someone was watching over us on Anzac eve. As we slept out under the stars, the rain held off for the whole night. Hooray!!!!

The Anzac services were great. It was quite emotional with a few tears shed and everyone felt so proud to be Australian. I have to admit that I was really homesick for a couple days after that! We also got to meet Peter Costello, our Treasurer (certainly not the highlight of the trip!). Security was very tight with lots of army men with machine guns pointing at us - made you feel a little uneasy, but I didn't feel unsafe at all for the whole trip. The Turks really love the Aussies.”

Thank you to Victoria Hammer for submitting her story. We hope you enjoy your bottle of Kiwi white!

You can fly to Istanbul from London or other major UK centres for around 175 pounds return. Buses are easy, although a bit hair-raising, to use to get around the country. Istanbul is a glorious sight to see but for a more mellow time, and to escape the numerous touts, get out of the city and head to the country and smaller towns. Notes: Turkish breakfasts are fantastic and Sultanahmet in Istanbul is an old character-filled quarter with plenty of hostels in which to stay.

Two little Turkish gems: Bodrum and Dalyan
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Stuff you might like: Visit the LINK of the Month…...

http://www.worstcasescenarios.com/mainpage.htm: this could save your life!

Your Say: email your say to jane.stewart@workgateways.com

Do you have questions, comments; is there anything you’d like to see addressed in WORKgateways e-newsletter? Please email with any comments.

If you like what you’ve read – send this to a friend!
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In the Next Issue: 8th June 2003

  • Your UK interview: UK Interview Questions: what to expect…
  • Working with your UK recruitment consultant: get the most out of this essential relationship
  • More UK Interview Tips
  • More Trip Templates

Trip Idea #7 – What great trip experience do you want to share with others? Submit a great trip idea and you could win a bottle of Kiwi white delivered to you if you are the selected contributing travel writer for April. Cheers!


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