Young worker

Age and school status both matter

A young worker is under 18 but above compulsory school age. Someone below that threshold is a child worker and is subject to additional limits, local by-laws and, in many cases, permit requirements. Check the person's date of birth and the school-leaving rule for the relevant nation before offering shifts.

Work experience does not automatically sit outside employment protection. If the arrangement gives the young person worker or employee status, the working-hours and rest rules follow that status.

Build the stricter limits into the rota

Young workers must not normally work more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week. Their hours cannot be averaged over a reference period. They are generally entitled to a 30-minute break when working more than four and a half hours, 12 hours' daily rest and 48 hours' weekly rest.

Night work is restricted too. The exact restricted period and limited occupational exceptions need checking before assigning any late or early shift. The Acas guide for workers under 18 sets out the current Great Britain rules.

Treat exceptions as exceptional

Some urgent or continuity situations allow limited departures where no adult is available and the young person's education or training will not be harmed. Those conditions are not a general staffing option. Record why the exception applied, supervision provided and replacement rest arranged.

Keep age, actual hours, restricted-period checks and health-assessment offers for night work. Review the rota when the worker turns 18, but do not discard the earlier evidence. For Northern Ireland, use the separate nidirect rules rather than assuming the Great Britain school-leaving test is identical.