Acas offers guidance for young people going straight into work after A-levels

Many young people may be thinking of taking a summer job before they start university. Pictured: Rochdale Sixth Form College students after collecting their results in 2015

Workplace expert, Acas, has launched new guidance for young people who want to go straight into work after receiving their A-level results.

Acas advises people throughout their working lives, whether they decide to go into work now or plan on another path first.

Acas Chief Executive, Susan Clews, said: “UCAS is known for helping students embark on the next stage of their education but Acas is the go to place for young people who are thinking of going straight into work.

“Many young people may be thinking of taking a summer job before they start university, go straight into a permanent job or look at other options such as internships or apprenticeships.

“Acas has a host of advice aimed at young people that explains the basics around workplace rights such as the minimum legal wage and the rules around dress codes. We can assist people from their first day of work and throughout their working lives.”

Acas’ new guidance gives advice on ways into work such as apprenticeships and internships, as well as what to expect from a pay packet, a contract and even what to wear.

Top tips include:

• Workers under 18 have special protections on the hours they can work and these apply to apprentices under 18 too
• New starters are entitled to certain things, which includes the right to an induction
• Zero hours workers are entitled to annual leave, the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage in the same way as regular workers
• Interns that are classed as workers are entitled to paid holidays and the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage

For the full advice go to: www.acas.org.uk/TopTipsYoungWorkers

Acas also has advice for employers on employing young and new workers and settling them into the workplace: www.acas.org.uk/employingyoungpeople