In this lesson on work regulations and dispute resolution, you'll explore protections for young workers in Ireland and practise handling conflicts. Understanding these topics will empower you to know your rights and resolve issues confidently.

Here's what you'll do:

1. Learn key regulations: Discover the rules from the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 that safeguard your hours, breaks, and safety.
2. Research protections: Use official sources to list and explain regulations for 16-17 year olds, applying them to real scenarios.
3. Understand disputes: Explore common workplace conflicts like unfair treatment or safety concerns, and how to address them.
4. Role-play scenarios: Work in a group to script and perform a dispute, focusing on positive resolutions to build problem-solving skills.
5. Reflect on learning: Connect the topics to your future work life, identifying surprises and gained skills.

Regulations for young workers in Ireland are designed to protect those under 18 from exploitation and ensure their safety, health, and education are prioritised. These rules come mainly from the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996.

They limit working hours, prohibit certain types of work, and require breaks to prevent fatigue. Understanding these helps you make informed decisions about part-time jobs or work placements while still in school.

Key points include:

• Age restrictions: Under 14s generally can't work; 14-15 year olds can do light work outside school hours; 16-17 year olds have more options but with limits.
• Working hours: For 16-17 year olds, maximum 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week; no work between 10pm and 6am (or 11pm-7am in some cases).
• Breaks and rest: At least 30 minutes break after 4.5 hours, 14 consecutive hours off per day, and 2 days off per week.
• Prohibited work: No hazardous jobs, like operating heavy machinery, to ensure safety.
• Other rights: Employers must provide a copy of the Act's summary and get parental consent for under 16s.

Now, deepen your understanding by researching current regulations for young workers. This will help you apply the rules to real-life scenarios, like a part-time job. Use official sources to ensure accuracy and note how these laws protect you as you enter the workforce.

Start by visiting the Citizens Information website: Rights of young workers. Read the sections on age limits, hours, and breaks. 

Make your research thorough by noting specific details, such as maximum hours during school terms versus holidays, and examples of allowed or prohibited work.

Workplace disputes are conflicts that arise between employees, or between employees and employers, often over issues like pay, hours, safety, or treatment. They can lead to stress, reduced productivity, and even legal action if not handled properly. However, they are common in any work environment and can often be resolved through open communication, following company policies, or seeking help from external bodies. Learning to handle them builds professionalism, resilience, and prepares you for real work environments by teaching you how to advocate for yourself and others.

Understanding disputes is crucial because they can affect your wellbeing and job satisfaction. As a young worker, you might encounter them in part-time jobs or placements, so knowing how to spot and address them early is key.

Common causes include:

• Unfair treatment: Such as bullying, harassment, or discrimination based on age, gender, or background.
• Pay or hours disagreements: Like not receiving agreed overtime pay, being asked to work beyond legal limits, or disputes over shift patterns.
• Safety concerns: Ignoring health and safety regulations, such as not providing proper training or equipment, which could lead to accidents.
• Workload issues: Being assigned too many tasks without adequate support or breaks, leading to burnout.
• Communication breakdowns: Misunderstandings about roles, expectations, or feedback that escalate into larger conflicts.

Resolving disputes often starts with talking directly to the person involved, then escalating to a supervisor or HR if needed. In Ireland, you can also contact organisations like the Workplace Relations Commission for advice or mediation.

Now, simulate a workplace dispute through role-play as a group activity. This will help you explore how conflicts arise and are resolved, building empathy, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Work in small groups of 2-4.

As a group, choose one scenario:

1. A young worker is asked to work beyond legal hours without extra pay.
2. An employee feels bullied by a supervisor over mistakes.
3. A safety issue, like faulty equipment, is ignored by management.

Collaborate to write a short script (200-300 words) with dialogue between at least two characters (e.g., employee and manager). Include the dispute's cause, escalation, and a positive resolution, like discussing it calmly. Assign roles and perform the role-play together, switching parts if needed to see different perspectives.