The school year is almost over, the holidays are just around the corner, so you and many other young people under 18 are going to start working in hospitality for the first time! Working in hospitality can be quite demanding (long days) and there are risks involved (difficult guests, cleaning agents, kitchen machines), which is why employees under 18 are well protected; you are not allowed to work too many hours, the work must not be too strenuous, and supervision must be present.
If your employer still makes you work longer hours (even if it's busy!), lets you work unsupervised or with dangerous machines, report this to your parents and your employer. Of course, you can also contact VIC, the Information and Advice Centre.
How does your employer handle the rules for young people? Leave your comment on the blog!
The working hours law for employees under 18 is as follows:
- 15-year-olds; may work in hospitality, provided no alcohol is served in the area where they are working. The following rules apply to 15-year-olds:
- You may work on Sundays if it is part of the job and your parents have given permission, but only if you did not work the Saturday before.
- You must have at least 6 free Sundays every 16 weeks.
- You may work until a maximum of 21:00 during holiday periods.
- 16 and 17-year-olds may work in service and kitchen; the following rules apply:
- Your weekly rest must be at least 36 hours per period of 7 x 24 hours; the daily rest must be twelve hours per 24 hours, including the period between 23:00 and 06:00;
- You are not allowed to work a night shift;
- Working on Sundays is allowed. Over 52 weeks, you must have at least thirteen Sundays off;
- The working time per shift is a maximum of nine hours, per week 45 hours, and on average per week 40 hours (160 hours per four weeks);
- For a working time per shift of more than 4.5 hours, the break must be at least half an hour.