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Health and Safety
When employing a young person it is possible that you will be their first employer and it is reasonable to expect that their awareness of health and safety issues in the workplace will be limited or non- existent. Therefore it is vital that you introduce the importance of health and safety at work to them from the start of their employment.
Risk Assessments
When recruiting a 16 or 17-year-old you are required by law to carry out a risk assessment of the job and workplace in which they will be working. This is done to identify any problem areas that could harm a young person.
Links to Further Information
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Practical advice for businesses from Business Link
Information from the HSE about Risk Assessments
Information from RoSPA about employing young workers
Pay
When considering what to pay a new employee we would encourage you to pay them the going rate for the job irrespective of their age. You should take into account their experience and trainee level.
National minimum wage
This is the minimum amount you are required to pay an employee by law depending on age and whether or not the employee is on a recognised training programme such as an Apprenticeship.
There are three levels of minimum wage:
| £3.30 per hour (£3.40 from Oct 2007) |
aged 16 and 17 |
| £4.45 per hour (£4.60 from Oct 2007) |
aged 18 -21 |
£5.35 per hour £4.25 per hour for first 6 months if you are doing accredited training |
aged 22 and over |
Employers are required to ensure full-time employed apprentices receive at least £80 per week on starting work based learning. It is strongly recommended apprentices receive incremental rises based on achievement of qualification and productivity to the organisation.
ou can find information about the minimum wage at www.dti.gov.uk/er/nmw
Or, by calling the national minimum wage helpline on 0845 6000 678.
Additional information can be found at:
Department of Trade and Industry
Equal Pay - Information from ACAS
Page updated: Saturday March 8, 2008 10:23 PM
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