5 Key Points to Be Aware of When Employing Young Workers
Please note that this article is based on the labour legislation applicable in Denmark. Labour laws may vary across countries, and local regulations should therefore be consulted.
More young people need to take up part-time jobs. That’s the message from the Danish government, which on 3 June 2024 presented a proposal aimed at encouraging more young people into employment. The initiative comes in response to a decline in the number of young people with part-time jobs. In fact, 70,000 fewer young people hold part-time jobs today compared to the 1980s. Currently, only one in two young people aged 13–17 has a part-time job. The government aims to reverse this trend with 18 new initiatives.
Why is it important to be aware when employing young workers?
When you hire young people in your business, different rules apply. These rules can be difficult to remember and follow unless all staff are informed of what young employees are allowed to do. In 2021 only 15.5% of young employees were employed without any breaches of the applicable regulations. This suggests that many employers and colleagues struggle to remember and comply with the rules for young workers. These rules are clearly outlined below.
Overview of the Rules:
Working hours, rest time, and days off
As a rule, young people may start working from the age of 13. However, exceptions do exist. Children under the age of 13 must have permission from the police to work. The police must assess whether the working environment is safe for the child and ensure that there is no risk of harm—whether to the child’s safety, health, or schooling.
Additionally, there are specific rules governing when young people may work, the amount of rest they are entitled to, and the number of days off they must have.
Breaks
Breaks are simple to manage, as one general rule applies to all young employees: all young workers must receive a break of at least 30 minutes if they have worked 4.5 hours or more.
Health and Safety
When employing young people, there are specific health and safety requirements to protect them. Employees under the age of 18 may not:
- Lift more than 12 kg
- Work with hazardous materials, such as large machinery, chemicals, etc.
- Work alone in environments with a risk of robbery or violence. In these cases, an employee over 18 must be present between 18:00 and 06:00 on weekdays and between 14:00 and 06:00 on weekends.
Illness and Absence
Whether a young employee is entitled to sick pay depends on your collective agreement or the employment contract. If your workplace is covered by a collective agreement, young employees with salaried positions who work an average of 8 hours per week are entitled to paid sick leave.
Young employees without a salaried position are entitled to statutory sick pay, but only if they have been employed for at least 8 weeks and worked at least 74 hours within the last 4 weeks prior to calling in sick.
Pay, Pension, Contracts and ATP Contributions
A young employee’s pay and pension are determined by your collective agreement or an individual agreement. Wages must always be stated in the employment contract. Young employees are entitled to a written contract or employment certificate if they work at least 3 hours per week. If you hire a young person aged 13–14, you are obliged to inform their parent or guardian about relevant terms of employment.
Once a young worker turns 16 and works at least 9 hours per week, the employer must report ATP (Labour Market Supplementary Pension) contributions and deduct them from their wages. This does not apply if the employee is under 16 or works less than 9 hours per week.
But why are the rules not being followed?
As mentioned earlier, only 15.5% of young employees experience employment without rule violations. This raises the question: why are these rules not being followed? There is no simple answer. It could be due to employers lacking knowledge of the rules, young employees being unaware of them, or the rules being difficult to follow in a busy working environment.
Nevertheless, the rules exist for a reason, and failure to comply may result in penalties such as fines.
Starting a job can be daunting, especially for young people. That’s why it is important to remember that these rules are there to protect young employees, and staying informed about the latest regulations is essential.
Timegrip can help you keep track of labour regulations and various collective agreements. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you.
