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Employment Legislation

It is important for an employer to be aware of the range of employment legislation relating to recruiting and employing staff.

When employing young people there are specific areas of legislation to consider. Detailed below are some of the key areas of employment legislation specifically relating to young workers.

Working Time Regulations 1998

There are certain exceptions for workers under the age of 18.  They are: hours of work, rest breaks and night work. For more information visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/
en/YoungPeople/Workandcareers/Yourrightsandresponsibilitiesatwork/DG_174530

Equality Legislation

Equality legislation applies to all individuals applying for employment, promotion and training.  The main areas of equality legislation are as follows:

• Sex Discrimination Act 1975/Equal Pay Act 1970
  For more details visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/
  en/Employment/Employees/DiscriminationAtWork/DG_10026665
• Race Relations Act 1976For more details visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/
  Employees/DiscriminationAtWork/DG_10026667
• Disability Discrimination Act 1995For more details visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/
  DisabilityRights/DG_4001068
• Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006
  For more details visit http://www.agepositive.gov.uk/
• Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1824
• Employment Equality (Religion & Belief) Regulations 2003
  http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1856

Health and safety legislation

The health and safety of staff is crucial.  There are guidelines laid down covering good practice for young workers.  The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) publishes a booklet “Young People at Work a Guide for Employers”. The guide is aimed at all employers who employ or are considering taking on a young person.

For more information on health and safety related to young workers contact the HSE on 0845 345 0055 or visit the website at www.hse.gov.uk.

Time Off for Study or Training

Any young person who has not achieved a first level 2 qualification is entitled legally to time off from their employer to undertake study or training.  A level 2 qualification may be  five GCSEs at grade C or above,  a BTEC First Diploma or an NVQ. Undertaking the NVQ allows the employer to convert the employment to an Apprenticeship and benefit from Government funded training.

For more information on please visit the following website http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/OptionsAt16/DG_066260

Legislation on the Employment of Children

There are restrictions covering the employment of young people of school age. Below are guidelines on the times and hours children of school age can work.

Child Employment Bye Laws (56.5Kb)

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