Employment ….Aged 16

[minnie76]

my friend’s son has started a job alongside his college hours. he was initially offered 15 hours per week in one department which fitted in with college lectures.this department is now being disbanded so he is being moved to a new department. as part of this his hours are now 10 a week for 2x evenings shifts on the weekend. Due to the change of hours, he will struggle with getting home due to parents shift pattern, he’s only 16 so doesn’t drive, doesn’t have a bike and it would be a 45 minute walk home late at night. he says he’s happy to moved into the new dept but would rather earlier hours as agreed in his initial 15 hour week contract. does he have any rights or can they make these changes? he is still in his probationary period.

[bobbinwales]

Being in probation don't make any difference here. They can change he's hours aslong as they give proper notice. He can ask to keep them hours but its there final say. They can just dismiss him if they choose. What you need to check is permitted number of hours pw for 16 your as am not sure / forgot. Are you in uk?

[murraymints]

has he mentioned these difficulties to HR ? employers have a duty of care and it seems unreasonable to expect someone of that age to walk alone at that time of night.they may just be ignorant to this situation ??

[bobbinwales]

10 hours a week in total is allowed. If its 2x10 hours thats not allowed as max shift are 8 hrs. This is if there in uk

[bobbinwales]

All he can do is ask them. It's there decision. If they feel they can get someone else easily they will as its not there problem he has all these restrictions. But a good employer where staff are hard to recruit will try to help

[johnk]

He could buy a bike, lights and a lock.