For a young worker, entering the workforce can be exciting, challenging and rewarding.

Your young worker may be feeling stressed about starting their first job, changing jobs or beginning an apprenticeship.

As a parent or guardian, there are several things you can do to help them with their transition into the work force.

Talk about health and safety before your young adult starts work

Here are some tips for talking to your young worker about workplace health and safety before they begin a new job:

• talk about your own experiences
• learn about their chosen job- you can find out more by clicking on these links to Retail, Building and Construction, Hospitality and Tourism and Health and Community Services
• talk about the importance of induction and supervision
• talk about Workers' Compensation, and
• take them through the Young Workers webpage.

Questions to ask your young worker on their first day

The first day at a new job can sometimes be difficult.

Young workers are particularly vulnerable at this time. Here are some questions you could ask your young worker at the end of their first day/shift:

• "How was your training/induction?"
• "What tasks did you perform today?"
• "Were you provided with Personal Protective Equipment? Did you use it?"
• "Would you feel comfortable raising WHS issues with your manager/supervisor?"
• "Who can you talk to about issues at work?"

Check in with your young adult

While their first day is an important occasion for young workers, health and safety issues can still arise once they are established in their new workplace. Regularly checking in with your young worker around WHS and mental health is equally important. Here are some examples of questions you could ask:

• "How do you feel about safety at your workplace?"
• "How are your stress levels at work?"
• "Do you know how to do your job safely?"
• "Who can you talk to about safety?"
• "How is your mental health after a shift at work?"

How to help your young adult if they are injured at work

Young workers make up 39% of the employed population in the ACT, yet last year accounted for nearly half of all workers’ compensation claims. This means that your young worker is at a higher risk of being injured at work.

Below are some tips to help you navigate this with your young worker:

• Check if your young worker has informed their employer of the injury. If they can, they should do so immediately.
• Keep a record of the details of the incident - time, date, task being performed, type of injury, who else was there.
• Encourage them to seek medical assessment and treatment.

How to support young workers to make a Workers' Compensation Claim

If your young worker has been injured at work or while travelling on a work-related matter, they have the right to compensation.

Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance to provide wages and medical support to people who are injured or become ill due to their work. An important part of workers’ compensation is rehabilitation so that people can return to work as soon as possible.

In order to support young workers to make a claim, visit the Workers' Compensation section of website, where you can find a list of steps to follow when making a claim. You could also download a Certificate of Capacity.

Frequently asked questions

Should young workers be treated differently to other workers?

Young workers have characteristics that make them more vulnerable to being injured at work. They may need more support to learn their role and to perform their tasks safely.

Young workers are also more at risk of experiencing certain hazards, including bullying and harassment, so it is important that they know about the policies and procedures at their workplace that are there to protect them.

Won't young workers just grow out of their risk-taking behaviour?

Some of the characteristics of young workers, such as limited risk perception, will improve as they age and develop. However risk-taking behaviour varies depending on the individual.

Due to inexperience, young workers are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviours. They may not realise the consequences of their actions or be unaware of how the work can be done safely.

It is important that young workers develop good safety behaviours, as it will help set them up for better safety practices throughout their career.

What are the benefits of talking with young workers about work health and safety?

Investing time in talking about health and safety at work with your young worker is really important. It can improve their connection to their workplace and how they engage with others there and it can decrease their likelihood of being injured. It may also improve their willingness to raise concerns.

How can I increase the confidence of a young worker to ask questions or raise concerns?

Having regular conversations about health and safety at work can increase your young worker’s confidence when raising issues.

Talking about who to contact when they have a question or concern can also assist in raising their confidence.

As a parent or guardian, how do I know whether my child's workplace is effectively managing health and safety risks?

Having regular, open conversations with your young worker about their job may help you get an understanding of risks at their workplace.

Try and establish an understanding of their work tasks and ask them about any incidents or near-misses that they have seen or heard about. Encourage and support your child to ask questions and raise concerns with their supervisor.

Contact WorkSafe ACT

Call WorkSafe ACT on 13 22 81 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6 pm, and on weekends or public holidays from 9am-5pm.

International callers please use +61 2 6207 5111. International call rates apply.

After hours, for emergencies, call us on 0419 120 028.

Email WorkSafe ACT at worksafe@worksafe.act.gov.au.