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Your Rights at Work
When you become employed, you have a number of legal rights.
National Minimum Wage
This is the lowest amount that employers can pay. However, it does not cover 16 and 17 year old apprentices. There are some
other exceptions. The following hourly rates apply currently:
- £3.53 for 16 and 17 year olds
- £4.77 for workers aged 18-21
- £5.73 for workers aged 22 and over.
From October 2009, these will increase to:
- £3.57 for 16 and 17 year olds
- £4.83 for workers aged 18-21
- £5.80 for workers aged 22 and over.
Holiday entitlement
Since 1 April 2009 you are entitled to 5.6 weeks. This amounts to 28 days if you work a five day week. Part-time staff are entitled to a pro-rata amount. Bank holidays can be included in this entitlement.
Working Hours for young people
There are restrictions on the hours that children and young people can work whilst still of compulsory school age and up to the age of 18. Here is a brief guide to the rules. For more information on the employment of school children, contact your local council.
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Under 13 years old
You cannot work if you are under the age of 13. (There are exceptions for public performances - these require a special permit).
13 and 14 year olds
During term-time you can work for a maximum of:
- 2 hours on a school day between 7am - 7pm but not during school hours. You can only work for 1 hour before the start of school
- 5 hours on a Saturday between 7am - 7pm
- 2 hours on a Sunday between 7am - 7pm
- 12 hours total in a week
During school holidays, you can work for a maximum of:
- 5 hours a day Monday - Saturday between 7am - 7pm
- 2 hours on Sunday between 7am - 7pm
- 25 hours total in a school holiday week.
- You are entitled to a 2 week break from work during the school holidays.
You are also allowed a one hour lunch break if you work for 4 hours at a time.
15 and 16 year olds
During term-time you can work for a maximum of:
- 2 hours on a school day between 7am - 7pm but not during school hours. You can only work for 1 hour before the start of school
- 8 hours on a Saturday between 7am - 7pm
- 2 hours on a Sunday between 7am - 7pm
- 12 hours total in a week
During school holidays, you can work for a maximum of:
- 8 hours a day Monday - Saturday between 7am - 7pm
- 2 hours on Sunday between 7am - 7pm
- 35 hours total in a school holiday week.
- You are entitled to a 2 week break from work during the school holidays.
You are also allowed a one hour lunch break if you work for 4 hours at a time.
Restrictions
There are also restrictions on the type of work you can do whilst still of compulsory school age. For example you cannot sell or deliver alcohol, except in sealed containers, or work in clubs or cinemas. Go to your local authority website for more details.
Permits
Employers must get a work permit for young people of compulsory school age. These can be obtained from your local authority.
Health and Safety
Children and young people are more at risk of accidents in the work place. Your employer must do a risk assessment before you start work and must then see what they can do to reduce any risk of you getting hurt at work. If you are below the school leaving age, your employer must inform your parent or carer of the findings of the risk assessment. More about Health and Safety here.
Starting full-time work
If you are in year 11 you cannot legally start full time work until after the official school leaving date. This is the last Friday in June in England and Wales. But you can start applying for jobs before then. You can work full time even if you are not yet 16 as long as
you have reached the compulsory school leaving date. This applies to young people who turn 16 in July or August.
Young Workers
Young Workers means young people who are over the compulsory school leaving age and under 18. Once you have reached the official school leaving date, there are fewer restrictions on what/where you can work. You are allowed to work in environments that may be considered dangerous but only if it is necessary for your training and someone is supervising you supervise you to reduce the risks.
- Usually, you cannot work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours per week. (There are some exceptions).
- You should not normally work between 10pm-6pm and 11pm - 7am. (There are some exceptions).
- If you work more than 4.5 hours at a time, you should have a 30 minute rest break.
- You should normally have at least 12 hours rest between each working day.
- You should have at least two days off each week. These should normally fall together.
Time off for Study or Training
The right to 'Time Off for Study' gives 16 and 17 year olds the right to have paid time off to take work related qualifications up to and including NVQ level 2, if you don't have this level of qualification already.
Health and Safety
Young workers are particularly at risk when it comes to accidents in the work place. So it is important that you follow all health and safety guidelines and procedures that your employer gives you. Before you start work your employer must do a risk assessment and must then see what they can do to reduce any risks. More about Health and Safety here.
Updated August 2009
Posted on 01 October 2009
