Restrictions related to young employees
The Young Worker’s Act protects employees under the age of 18. Work must not damage a young person’s health or development, or cause harm to their education. Induction training and work supervision must be carried out particularly well for young employees.
The Act protects workers under 18 in the following ways:
- You can enter into an employment contract once you are 15 years old.
- If you are 15 years old and have completed comprehensive education, you can become a permanent employee.
- If you are 15 years old and have not yet completed comprehensive education, you can work half of your holiday time.
- At 14 years of age, you can be employed in work that is not too straining with your guardian’s permission. You cannot sign your employment contract yourself; instead, your guardian can sign it for you.
- If you are under 18, you cannot be employed in work that may adversely affect your health, development, or education.