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Lesson 4 of 4
  • Year 10

Rights and responsibilities in the workplace

I can explain my basic rights and responsibilities at work and know what to do if something goes wrong.

Lesson 4 of 4
New
New
  • Year 10

Rights and responsibilities in the workplace

I can explain my basic rights and responsibilities at work and know what to do if something goes wrong.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Workers have legal rights such as fair pay, rest breaks and protection from discrimination.
  2. Employees are expected to follow rules, be punctual and treat others with respect.
  3. Unsafe or unfair treatment at work should be reported using clear steps.
  4. Support is available from managers or Human Resources (HR).
  5. A respectful and safe workplace depends on everyone understanding their rights and responsibilities.

Keywords

  • Rights - the freedoms and protections everyone is entitled to, like safety, equality and free speech

  • Responsibilities - the actions we are expected to take to respect others and follow the law

Common misconception

You only get rights at work when you become an adult.

Young workers have specific legal rights, including maximum working hours, rest breaks and protection from unsafe conditions or discrimination. This applies to weekend or holiday jobs.


To help you plan your year 10 RSHE (PSHE) lesson on: Rights and responsibilities in the workplace, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You might want to link this lesson to any work experience or career events your setting might offer.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What do you think the term 'discrimination' means in a workplace context?

getting promoted faster than others
working different hours from colleagues
Correct answer: treating someone unfairly because of who they are
having different job responsibilities

Q2.
Match each scenario with what type of behaviour it represents.

Correct Answer:always arriving on time,being responsible and reliable

being responsible and reliable

Correct Answer:helping a colleague learn a task,supporting team members

supporting team members

Correct Answer:following safety rules,following workplace procedures

following workplace procedures

Correct Answer:speaking politely to customers,showing respect to others

showing respect to others

Q3.
If you saw someone being bullied at work, what do you think would be the best first step?

ignore it as it's not your business
tell the person being bullied to fight back
join in to fit in with others
Correct answer: report it to a manager or trusted adult

Q4.
With rights come responsibilities, like following laws and others’ rights.

Correct Answer: respecting

Q5.
Which of these is a practical safety strategy you could use if you were walking home alone and started feeling unsafe?

confront anyone who seems suspicious
take shortcuts through alleyways to avoid people
Correct answer: stay in well-lit areas and contact police if needed
ask a member of staff if Angela is working

Q6.
What is the main responsibility that comes with having freedom of speech?

Correct answer: using it without harming others through hate speech or threats
you can say anything you want without consequences
only speaking when adults give you permission
avoiding talking about important issues

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is a legal right for all workers?

choosing your own hours
taking as many breaks as you feel you need
Correct answer: a safe working environment

Q2.
Which action shows someone acting responsibly at work?

ignoring safety instructions
Correct answer: arriving on time
posting complaints online
leaving early without permission

Q3.
Match the word to the definition.

Correct Answer:rights,the freedoms and protections everyone is entitled to

the freedoms and protections everyone is entitled to

Correct Answer:responsibilities,the actions we are expected to take to respect others

the actions we are expected to take to respect others

Correct Answer:discrimination,when people are treated unfairly or differently due to characteristics

when people are treated unfairly or differently due to characteristics

Q4.
has rights in the workplace.

Correct Answer: Everybody, everyone

Q5.
If something goes wrong at work, what is usually the first step?

ignore it
Correct answer: speak to your line manager
go straight to the police

Q6.
HR stands for ...

Correct Answer: Human Resources