Youth employees at work

The provisions on the protection of juvenile employees at the workplace are governed by Ordinance V to the Labor Act (ArGV V).

Youths are considered to be employees of both sexes up to the age of 18, regardless of whether they are apprentices or other employees.

The ArGV V regulates working hours and rest periods, prohibited work, exceptions to the prohibition of work on Sundays and at night for vocational training purposes for young employees.

The regulations take into account the different age groups.

The ArGV V regulates the employment of juvenile workers up to the age of eighteen, such as children, school-age youths or apprentices.

It is regulated in the ArGV V in which time period young people may not be employed. Thus, the Sunday work ban also applies to young people. However, it is necessary for apprentices to be employed on Sundays, during the night or evening hours in order to achieve their occupational goal.

In the annex to the regulation, occupational groups are listed for which employment during the night or on Sundays are necessary for the achievement of the vocational goal. Those who comply with the specified time can employ the young people (learners) without a permit. Employment outside this time frame must be approved by the Office of National Economy.

Also, the appendix lists work that is dangerous for young people and is therefore prohibited. If apprentices need to learn these jobs for their professional goal, this can be approved by the Office of National Economy under special conditions.