Citizens Advice unveils new employment rights fact sheet for young people
18th March 2005
New guidance aimed at helping young people to understand their employment rights has been published by independent national charity Citizens Advice.
The new fact sheet, applies to young people over school leaving age and under 18. It gives details about the rights and entitlements of young workers when taking up paid employment.
The guidance covers:
- Pay and the National Minimum Wage
- What jobs young people are able to do
- Hours of work and rest breaks
- Holiday entitlement
- Night work
- Training entitlements
- Health and safety at work
- Dismissal
The laws governing young workers are very strict and employers can be prosecuted for breaking them. The guidance deals with employment contracts and details the minimum rights young workers should have by law, even if they do not have a written contract. Also included is advice on young people's rights should their employer break their contract, and when problems should be referred to an employment tribunal.
Citizens Advice Director of Policy Teresa Perchard said:
"Starting your first real job can be exciting but it can also be a very confusing and worrying time for young people. Many people who have been working for years still aren't sure of their workplace rights, and unfortunately not all employers fulfil their legal responsibilities to their workforce. We want to make sure as many young workers as possible have easy access to correct and up-to-date information about their employment rights right at the start of their working lives.
"We hope that many young workers will find it useful and that it will enable them to be aware of their entitlements before they start work or if they have problems at work.
"Young people with any employment problems or queries can of course also get help from an experienced adviser at their local CAB."
Last updated: February 23, 2007