I don’t have a contract for my new job and they haven’t mentioned holiday or sickness pay – please help

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who doesn’t have a contract in her new job at her friend’s family restaurant. Karren Brady gives you career advice Q) After struggling to find a job for ages, a few months ago, a friend helped me get 25 hours a week working at her family restaurant, but it all feels a bit slap-dash. I never received a contract, nor have I had proper training – I’ve just had to pick things up as time has gone on. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! They pay me into my bank account and each month print me off a payslip that mentions income tax and NI, so I’m sure it’s all above board, but they haven’t mentioned holiday or sickness pay. I don’t want to kick up a fuss because it’s my friend’s family, and this is only my second job after leaving college, but the uncertainty of everything is making me anxious. READ MORE FROM BOSSING IT What should I do? Evie A) Starting a new job should feel exciting, not uncertain. The fact your payslip shows tax and National Insurance suggests you’re employed properly, but that doesn’t mean you should be left guessing the basics. Most read in Fabulous Every employee deserves clarity on holiday entitlement, sick pay and the terms of their role. Asking for that information isn’t being awkward or “kicking up a fuss”, it’s being professional. But as this involves your friend’s family, do keep it friendly and straightforward. Say you’d like to understand how everything works so you know what’s expected of you and can do your job confidently. Good employers don’t see questions as causing problems, they see them as signs of someone who wants to work responsibly. Confidence isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about being willing to ask. That’s how you build strong foundations in any job. Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk. Comment now