Take Extra Care with Young Workers, Warns Workplacelaw Network

Employers are being warned to go the 'extra mile' to make sure they take good care of young workers following the publication of new research which reveals that youngsters have to deal with mental health problems on a scale never previously recognised.

According to a report from Ananova, more than a third of young people know someone who has attempted suicide and 25% are worried about the mental health of a young person they know, according to the survey. Some 86% of the 1001 15-21-year-olds surveyed knew someone who had experienced a mental health problem.

The research has been released to mark the launch of a new Department of Health campaign which aims to improve understanding of mental health issues amongst young people. While this latest research is not limited to youngsters in the workplace, a significant number of under-18s are in full and part-time employment.

As reported on the Network in December, the government has introduced new legislation which will come into force from 6 April 2003. The new laws apply to workers between school-leaving age and 18, and limit working time to:

- 40 hours per week;
- 8 hours per day; and,
- night working prohibited between 10pm - 6am or 11pm - 7am.

In January 2001 the HSE produced updated guidance to help employers of under 18s understand the additional responsibilities with regard to young workers.
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