Taking on a young worker

[Curlybrunette]

Hi there,
We are taking on an apprentice next week and I just wanted to check if any of you knew any 'rules' about young workers that we need to know about. I've googled it and know about the maximum hours per week/breaks/pay etc. but it's other things I wanted to check.
Our apprentice is 17, is she allowed to do such as go in the car to meetings with a male colleague. I assume so and might be daft for asking but wanted to double check!

Any advice/suggestions are much appreciated
Thanks

A female and a male in the car together...shock horror!!!

Why on earth wouldn't she be allowed?

Yes that would be fine of course, although I would/have made sure that an 'extra' layer of protection is in place when sending young workers out and about. More as a way of knowing that they perhaps wouldn't have the life experience of older workers in dealing with the unexpected iyswim?

This is the oddest question I have seen in a while. How do you not understand that a 17 year old is a normal person. She's allowed to shag her male colleague in the car if she wishes!

Thought I do of course understand that a 17 year old is a normal person in the eyes of employment law/regulations it isn't the same as employing an adult. They have more rules and protection with other issues such as working hours and I would rather ask a (daft) question then do something that could put anyone at risk.

Thanks ThegirlfromIpanema I just wanted to check.

Oh FFS... It's a perfectly sensible question, OP. Lifts with men isn't the issue, but there are things to consider. A seventeen year old is a normal person, but is also a minor. There's some useful guidance from the government on employing children: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/193326/Child_employment09.pdf

Much of it is about those below school leaving age, but some applies to all under-18s. There are some specific rules about health and safety, but as a general principle, remember that consciousness of workplace hazards takes time and experience to develop, especially in unfamiliar working environments such as labs, factories, workshops... An apprenticeship is an amazing way to develop that experience, but it takes a bit of support to get there. Similarly, you might have to be a bit more explicit about standards of behaviour than with established workers, setting out what you expect of them AND what they can expect of their colleagues. We're not all born knowing the difference between banter and bullying, or between good and bad management. If you get it right, you'll all benefit... The apprentice possibly for a lifetime.

Thanks a lot HermioneGrangerHair I'll look at the link now

Apprentices have more employment protection than 'adults' when it comes to redundancy. Hope you don't have to go there of course.

I'm no expert but I did read up about it when I had a poorly performing apprentice once. Luckily for us, she made the choice to leave voluntarily (and without any pressure from me, I should add!).