Young Employee’s Employment Contracts
Employees under the age of 18 are considered to be young employees. A young employee’s right to enter into an employment contract is regulated by the Young Workers’ Act. A minor of at least 15 years of age may conclude, terminate and cancel his/her own employment contract, whereas a minor under the age of 15 must have his/her guardian’s permission to conclude an employment contract or, alternatively, the contract must be concluded by the guardian on behalf of the minor. The guardian may also cancel the employment contract of a minor aged 15-18, if it is in the best interest of the minor in consideration of his/her upbringing, development or health.
The employer must present the young employee or his/her guardian with a document setting out the conditions of the employment contract upon request. The document must be provided before the employment contract is concluded except where the contract is in writing or the work consists of domestic work for only one day at the employer’s residence.
The Young Workers’ Act restricts an employer’s ability to employ young workers on a permanent basis. An employer may employ a person aged 15 who has completed their primary and lower secondary education (comprehensive school). It is also possible for an employer to employ a person aged 14, or who will reach that age during the calendar year in question, to carry out light work. During school term, young workers may only be employed on a temporary or short-term basis. During the school holiday period the employment term may not exceed more than half of the holiday period.
Prior to entering into an employment relationship or within one month thereafter, a young worker shall be given a medical examination at the employer's expense. The examination shall determine the suitability of the young person for the work in question and ensure that the work is not detrimental to his health or development. However, no such examination need be given if:
the contract is for light shop or office work or other similar light employment,
the employment relationship is due to last for no more than three months, or
the worker can produce a medical certificate, obtained within the last 12 months, showing convincingly that he is fit for the employment.
The working hours, resting hours and the placement of the working time is strictly regulated by law. The working hours of a young person may not exceed overtime is 80 hours per year overtime limit. A person aged under 15 is not allowed to work over time. Working in the evenings is restricted and night time work prohibited. The working hours of a young employee are more closely reviewed in section [Application of the Working Hours Act to Young Employees].
The employer must keep a list of all young employees that have been employed until further notice or whose employment lasts more than two months.