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I am working part time whilst in the sixth form and I was wondering if there are any rules and regulations about pay and working hours as I have not had a pay rise when others at work have. He also asks me to work later than I’m supposed to according to my hours.

Dr C answers

There are special rules regarding young people aged 16 to 18 and you fit into these.

The minimum wage at 16 is Ł3 per hour (the rate for people aged 18 to 22 is Ł4.10). So how you take that forward is up to you.

Now for the special rules for those aged 15 to 18 in the work place.

Employment of 15-18 year olds
Hours of work

From 6 April 2003, a young person over compulsory school leaving age must not work more than eight hours per day, and must not work more than 40 hours per week. Young workers must have 12 consecutive hours' rest between each working day, plus two days' rest per working week and a 30 minute rest break when working longer than four and a half hours.

Night work

From 6 April 2003, a young worker over compulsory school leaving age and under 18 is prohibited from doing night work between:-

10pm and 6am, or if they are contracted to work after 10pm, between 11pm and 7am. There are some exceptions for those working in hospitals, agriculture, retail trading, hotels and catering, bakeries, post/newspaper deliveries or in connection with cultural, artistic, sporting or advertising activities

midnight and 4am, except in the most exceptional circumstances.

the young worker's employer requires her/him to undertake work which is necessary either to maintain continuity of service or production, or to respond to a surge in demand; and

no adult worker is available to do the work; and

doing the work would not adversely affect the young worker's education or training; and

for night work, the young person is supervised by an adult if supervision is necessary for her/his protection, and s/he is allowed an equivalent period of compensatory rest.

In addition to the rest breaks in the paragraph above,young night workers can only be required to work an average of eight hours in each 24 hour period, and have a right to receive free health assessments.

A local education authority can impose restrictions on the type of work and hours of work a young person aged 16 or 17 can do if they stay on at school.

From what I have able to find out so far Norfolk place no restrictions on you.

Holidays for young workers

Young workers (aged between school leaving age and 18 years) are entitled to four weeks statutory annual paid holiday in the same way as other workers.

Should your employer consider sacking you for pointing out these concerns you may have a case to go before an employment tribunal and get compensation for the loss of your job. You would have this right as you are trying to enforce a statutory right and would not have to wait until you have worked there for one year before trying to assert your right.

If you require any more help please feel free to contact us at youth@askcab.co.uk

Disclaimer, Target Audience, Jurisdiction Last updated & checked: 30/03/2006