Consumer rights

Don’t let unscrupulous traders con you out of your money. There are laws to ensure that you get what you pay for.

The sale of good act 1979 (as amended) says that goods should be:

• of a Satisfactory Quality, i.e., of a standard that a reasonable
  person would consider to be satisfactory - generally free from
  fault or defect, as well as being fit for their usual purpose, of a
  reasonable appearance and finish, safe and durable
• fit for the purpose - as well as being fit for the purpose for which
  they are generally sold, goods should also be fit for any specific
  or particular purpose made known at the time of the agreement
• as described - goods should correspond with any description
  applied to them. This could be verbally, words or pictures on a
  sign, packaging or an advert.

Key links: Oxfordshire Trading Standards, Consumer Direct

Employment rights

Don't let unfair employers take advantage of you. There are laws to protect you from working too much, and to stop your work getting in the way of studies or learning.

> If you are 15-16 you must not work:

• During school hours on any school day
• More than 2 hours on any school day or over 12 hours in any week during term time
• Over 35 hours during school holidays
• Before 7am or after 7pm
• Over 4 hours without a break of 1 hour
• In a factory, transport or construction team or in a commercial kitchen

> If you are 16-17 you are entitled to:

• Not work more than 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week, and not between 10pm-6am (with some
  exceptions)
• 12 hours of rest between each working day and 2 days of rest each working week
• 30 minutes of rest when working over 4.5 hours
• 24 days annual paid holidays
• Time off for study or training paid at the normal hourly rate
• Join the armed forces with permission from your parents
• Work in a bar as part of an approved training scheme

> If you are pregnant ...

• You don’t have to leave your job
• You can return to work after 26 weeks after the baby is born
• You may be entitiled to up to 39 weeks leave with Statutory Maternity Pay
• You can take additional maternity leave up to 52 weeks

Key link: www.acas.org.uk

More about rights

There are other rights of young people. These include things like the right to:

• Have your own religion
• Have a say in how your services are run
• Education

You can find out more about these rights from Big Voice Oxfordshire.