Introduction
Are you under 18 and working? It’s essential to know your rights to ensure you’re treated fairly in the workplace. This guide will help you understand the specific rights that apply to young workers, from working hours to breaks and pay. If you have any concerns or feel you’re being treated unfairly, Contend’s highly trained AI legal experts are here to assist you. With Contend, you can easily navigate your legal issues and get the support you need to protect your rights at work.
If you’re under 18 and working, it’s important to know that you have specific rights that can be different from those of adult workers. Understanding these rights can help ensure that you’re treated fairly in the workplace.
Know Your School Leaving Age
Your rights at work depend on whether you’ve reached your school leaving age. If you’re not sure when that is, you can check your school leaving age on the GOV.UK website.
If you haven’t left school yet, there are specific rules about the types of jobs you can do and the hours you can work.
Working Hours: What You Should Know
Generally, you should not be asked to work more than 40 hours a week or 8 hours a day. However, there are some exceptional situations where your employer might ask you to work longer hours, but this should only happen if:
- There are no adults available to cover the shift.
- The workplace is unusually busy, and your help is needed to keep things running smoothly.
- Your education or training won’t be disrupted by working extra hours.
For instance, if you work in a care home and several staff members are sick, you might be asked to cover extra shifts.
Working Times: When You Can Work
Most young workers cannot be scheduled to work between 10 PM and 6 AM. If your job requires you to work late, you should not start before 7 AM the next day. However, in rare cases, you may be asked to work late if:
- No adults are available to work.
- The situation is urgent, and your help is necessary.
- Your education is not affected.
- An adult supervises you for safety.
- You are given time to rest afterward.
Types of Jobs and Allowed Working Times
The times you can work also depend on the type of job you have. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Between 10 PM and 6 AM: Allowed in sports, advertising, hospitals, and cultural or artistic work.
- Up to Midnight or from 4 AM: Allowed in hotels, restaurants, retail, agriculture, and postal services.
Example Scenario
If you work in a hospital and are asked to stay until midnight because the usual adult staff member is on holiday, this is acceptable since there are more patients than usual and no one else can cover the shift.
Breaks and Time Off
As a young worker, you are entitled to a 30-minute break if you work for more than 4.5 hours in a single shift. You and your employer can decide when to take this break, but you may not be paid for it, so be sure to clarify this with your employer.
Additionally, you should have at least 48 hours off each week and a minimum of 12 hours off between shifts. However, your employer can adjust these rules in emergencies, as long as they give you compensatory rest time later.
What Work is Appropriate for You?
You should not be asked to do jobs that are beyond your physical or mental capabilities or that pose a health risk due to extreme conditions.
Serving Alcohol
If you work in a bar or restaurant, check local council rules about serving alcohol. Some councils have restrictions on what you can serve, especially if it’s not in cans or bottles.
Working with Chemicals
You cannot work with hazardous substances unless it’s part of your training, you’re supervised, and your employer ensures your safety.
Pay and Time Off
You have the right to the same amount of paid holiday as adult workers. Make sure to check the minimum wage for your age on the GOV.UK website to ensure you’re being paid fairly, even if it’s for casual work like babysitting.
What to Do If You’re Treated Unfairly
If you feel you’re being treated unfairly—like being asked to work too many hours or at inappropriate times—don’t hesitate to seek help. You can try Contend’s legal expert chat, where highly trained AI legal experts will work with you to provide guidance and help you understand and resolve your legal problems.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your rights at work is crucial for your well-being and development. If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from trusted adults or resources available online. Your rights are there to protect you, so make sure you know them!
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