Young Workers Policy 

Ref Source -  https://www.acas.org.uk/young-workers-apprentices-and-work-experience

Young people are key to our future economic success so it is crucial we do as much as we can to prepare them for the world of work and open up job opportunities for all.

There are lots of good reasons to be involved:

• helping young people develop the attitudes, skills and knowledge for your business

• inspiring young people to work for you and securing a talent flow

• promoting a positive awareness of your business in the community

• promoting improved career choices and supporting diversity in the workplace

• giving something back to your community

• applying the perspective and skills of young people to your business challenges

• providing development opportunities for your staff

• it makes good business sense!

All employers, regardless of size and type, can make a valuable contribution to preparing young people for the world of work, and it makes good business sense to get involved in developing your potential workforce. This is equally true for employers in the public, private and third sectors

Workers aged under 18 have extra rights to protect them because of their age.

Hours that can be worked

By law, workers aged 16 or 17 must not work more than 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week.

They must also have, as a minimum:

• a 30-minute break if their working day is longer than 4.5 hours

• 12 hours' rest in any 24-hour period in which they work (for example, between one working day and the next)

• 48 hours' (2 days) rest taken together, each week or – if there is a good business reason why this is not possible – at least 36 hours' rest, with the remaining 12 hours taken as soon as possible afterwards

 

Payment

Anyone employed and above school leaving age must get paid at least the National Minimum Wage.

Keeping Records

By law, employers must keep records of any young worker's:

• working hours – to make sure they're not working more than 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week