UNCRC and WORKPLACES
Article 3 is about what is best for children
Adults should always make a decision by considering what is in the best interest of the child.
Article 12 is about the views of the child
Children and young people have a right to participate in all matters affecting them, and those views should be given due weight “in accordance with the age and maturity of the child”.
Articles 19, 32 &36 protects young workers
Children and youth have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated. They have the right to protection from work that is bad for their health or education. Children and youth have the right to protection from of any other kind of exploitation.
Article 42 reminds us to learn about rights
All adults and children should know about this convention. Children and youth have a right to learn about their rights and adults should learn about them too.
WORKPLACES
While workplaces are generally adult environments, they affect the children of parents who work outside the home as well as young people who have entered the workforce. Parents often have concerns about the availability and quality of childcare services. Many also have concerns about balancing and integrating their work and family lives.
It is important for parents to be available for their children when they need their support and care (e.g., for special school events or when children are sick), and for children to understand and feel connected to their parents’ work lives.
Most youth are eager to start working and to have a job, and many begin some form of employment while in their early or mid-teens. Key issues for youth starting out in the workforce relate to how well they are able to balance their home responsibilities and school work with part-time or full-time work, as well as the need for proactive monitoring and enforcement of employment rights and safety protections in the workplace due to their greater vulneratbility.
Child and youth friendly workplaces address the needs of parents, young employees and families as a whole, through supportive policies, programs and practices.
"There is nothing wrong with loving your work and wanting to apply yourself to it. But there is so much more to life. Balance is what is important, maintaining balance."
~ Bronnie Ware, Author
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