Employers have to abide by a set of rules concerning how employees are treated. This applies to apprentices as well as experienced workers. It is important to know what your rights are so that you know you are not being made to work too many hours or being given too little holiday. If in doubt, always check the details of your contract.

The following information is a guide.

Health & Safety

Employers must provide you with the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the work being carried out. They should also give adequate instruction on how to use it safely.

Types of PPE

EYES: safety spectacles, goggles, face-shields, visors.

HEAD: helmets, bump caps.

BREATHING: disposable filtering face-piece or respirator, airfed helmets, breathing apparatus.

BODY: conventional or disposable overalls, boiler suits, specialist protective clothing e.g. chainmail aprons, high visibility clothing.

HANDS AND ARMS: gloves, gauntlets, mitts, wrist-cuffs, armlets.

FEET AND LEGS: safety boots and shoes with protective toe caps and penetration-resistant mid sole, gaitors, leggings, spats.

Insurance Cover

Employers must have insurance that covers you in case you get hurt at work or ill through work. They should display a hard copy or electronic copy of the current insurance certificate where it can be easily read.

Working Hours Directive

The working hours directive covers how many hours an employee should have to work per week. The amount is set at an average of 48 hours. However, some jobs may require you to work more hours than this in a week. As long as you work less hours in another week, it’s not a problem. The ‘average’ is worked out over a 17-week period and you cannot be forced to work beyond this limit unless it’s your choice.

If you are under the age of 18 there are slightly different rules. As a young worker your working hours cannot be longer than 40 hours per week rather than the normal 48.

Rest Breaks

There are strict guidelines on rest breaks during the day and breaks between periods of work. If you have to work six hours or more then you must be allowed at least a 20 minute rest break, though your employer can tell you when you must take it. You are also entitled to at least 11 hours free between each working day and 24 hours clear of work each week, or 48 hours clear each fortnight.

However, other rules apply if you are under 18. Young workers who need to work for more than four and a half hours will get a rest break of 30 minutes. Your employer must give you at least 12 hours off between shifts and at least 24 hours clear from working each week. It is possible that your employer is not aware of these entitlements, so if you feel you are being taken advantage of, do speak up.

Holiday Entitlement

Apprentices have the right to the same holiday entitlement as other employees. The standard holiday entitlement for employees in the UK is four weeks off each year. Your employer may offer more than this or increase it when you have been there longer, but this minimum still applies.

Always check your contract to find out what it says about holiday entitlement. It’s a good idea to make a note of how many days you take off to make sure you have been able to take it all.

National Minimum Wage

There are different levels of NMW, depending on your age and whether you are an apprentice. The current rates are:

• £5.93 - the main rate for workers aged 21 and over
• £4.92 - the 18-20 rate
• £3.64 - the 16-17 rate for workers above school leaving age but under 18
• £2.50 - the apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

The age at which you become entitled to the main rate was reduced from 22 to 21 on 1st October 2010.  The apprentice rate was introduced on the same date.

There are a number of website you can visit to find out more about your rights as an employee. For health and safety issues visit www.hse.gov.uk and for employment rights check out www.direct.gov.uk. The Citizens Advice Bureau is another good source of information www.adviceguide.org.uk.