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If you’re young and you work you’ve got rights just like everyone else. Most employers are fair but it’s important you know your rights so you can spot any problems on the job.

You must be paid the minimum wage.

From March 27th 2006 the minimum hourly wage for those aged 16 or 17 is $8.20 an hour. Once you turn 18 it goes up to $10.25. If you’re over 18, and training for an industry qualification on the job, you might only be entitled to the ‘training wage’ of $8.20 until you’ve got your qualification.

You should have a written employment agreement.

The law says all employees must have a written employment agreement. Sometimes it’s called a contract. It usually says what your job is, how much and how you’ll be paid, your holidays and other entitlements and what happens if you and your employer have a disagreement or your job ends. It’s a legal contract and it means you and your employer are both clear on each other’s rights and responsibilities.

You’re entitled to three weeks holiday.

Once you’ve been working somewhere full-time for 12 months you’re entitled to at least three weeks annual holiday each year. If your employer agrees you may be able to take a paid holiday before the 12 months is up but it’s up to them, not you. Part-time and casual workers are paid regular ‘holiday pay’ instead of getting annual leave. It’s 6% and it’s added to your rate of pay.

You might have to work on a public holiday.

If you normally work on the day that is a public holiday and your employment agreement says you might have to work, then your employer can ask you to work that day. If you do, you should be paid one and a half times your normal pay and get an extra days paid holiday to make up for it. This is called a ‘day in lieu’.

If you get sick you might be able to use your ‘sick leave’.

Even if you work part-time, once you’ve worked somewhere for six months, you're entitled to at least five days paid sick leave a year. Your employer can ask you for proof that you’re sick if you take more than three days leave or if they have good reason to think you might not actually be sick.

There’s a lot to know and we haven’t covered everything here. You can find out more at www.workplace.govt.nz

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