The Age regulations are designed to cover workers of all ages, and are especially important for young workers who often face discrimination in the workplace on the grounds of their age.

It is unlawful for an employer to offer you worse terms and conditions than colleagues, refuse you promotion, or block access to training just because they think you are too young.

As well as experiencing subtle and indirect discrimination, younger workers can often be exploited in the workplace, and are subject to direct discrimination and harassment, and poor working conditions.

All too often, younger workers do not join a trade union and lack the protection in the workplace that could bring better working conditions and pay, or help them to seek compensation if they have been unfairly dismissed or discriminated against. Joining a union helps to protect your rights at work. To find out more about joining a union visit: www.worksmart.org.uk/unionfinder

Your basic rights are:
· Written terms of Employment within 8 weeks of starting work
· An itemised pay slip detailing pay and deductions
· 4 weeks paid holiday a year (pro rata, if applicable)
· A safe and healthy workplace
· Right to join a trade union

The law covers:
· Recruitment
· Redundancy
· Unfair dismissal
· Statutory sick pay
· Training

Your employer cannot refuse to employ or promote you, or provide you with training; and they cannot dismiss you or give you worse terms and conditions on the basis of being ‘too young’.
There are some areas where younger workers are not entitled to the same conditions as older workers eg minimum wage and pensions.

Working Students

Students increasingly need to work part time or full time in order to support themselves through their studies. Casual and short term work puts students in a position where they are more likely to be exploited and treated badly at work.

To find out more about your rights visit
www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/viewsubsection.php?sun=78
www.nusonline.co.uk

(With thanks to the Northern TUC for information on working students.)

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