Rights and cash for 16/17 year-olds

At this time of the year thousands of young people aged 16 and 17 will start work for the first time in a variety of workplaces across the UK.

They will either be in full-time employment or a student working part-time to fit around their studies and college work. Many of these young workers will not know they have rights at work or that they can join a trade union.

As a young rep/activist YOU can help to get the message across to young workers that they CAN join the union and they DO have rights at work.

National Mininum Wage

Usdaw is now campaigning for the full rate to be paid at 18 and at least 80 per cent for under 18s. From October 16 and17 year-olds are eligible to a minimum hourly rate of £3.53.

Annual paid holidays

16 and 17 year-olds have the right to 24 days paid holiday a year (28 days from April 2009), or the pro-rata equivalent if you work part-time, from when you start work.

Proper breaks and rest at work

16 and 17 year-olds have the right to:

• 40 hours maximum working week.
• Eight hours maximum working day.
• A ban on night working (working no later than midnight and starting no earlier than 4am).
• A rest period of 12 hours between working days.
• Two days weekly rest.
• A 30 minute rest break if working more than four and a half hours.

Protection at work

Your employer has a duty of care to protect you at work. That means safety from: accidents, work-related illnesses, violence or abuse, harassment or bullying, discrimination - including age discrimination.

Remember: 16 and 17 year-olds can get Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of up to £30 a week if they study for at least 12 hours a week.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
This page: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns/youngworkers/resources/1223980929_2589.html
Last Modified: Tuesday, 14-Oct-2008 21:47:14 EST
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