Young workers hit hard

A new study by the TUC reveals that almost three-quarters (72%) of young workers aged 16 to 24 do not qualify for key employment rights at work, compared with 27% of those aged 25 and over (see page 25).

Despite comprising only 11% of the total workforce, 16- to 24-year-olds make up 40% of the 1.18 million on zero hours contracts. Those working zero hours miss out on maternity and paternity rights, shared parental leave and the right to request flexible working. They are generally poorly paid and on insecure contracts.

Young people in minority groups are hit particularly hard. For example, young Black, minority and ethnic workers are 12 times more likely to be on a zero hours contract than white workers aged 35 to 49 (15.9% compared to 1.4%).

Younger workers are also more likely to miss out on key employment rights such as protection from unfair dismissal and statutory redundancy pay which only kicks in once an employee has built up two years’ continuous service.

And one in eight young people (12.3%) are without a job (compared to 4.2% for all workers) despite actively seeking work and being available to start work.