📋 Part 1: Find the key information

WALT: recognise important information in an employment agreement.

Success criteria: I can locate at least five details and explain how they protect the worker and employer.

Fictional agreement: Harbour Café — Worker: Maia, aged 15

Job title: Café assistant.

Pay: $18.50 per hour, paid weekly into the worker’s bank account.

Hours: Saturdays, 9:00 am–2:00 pm, with extra shifts agreed in advance.

Leave: Leave and holiday entitlements will be provided according to New Zealand employment law.

Duties: Take orders, serve customers, clean tables, and follow health and safety instructions.

Trial or probation: No trial or probation period is included in this agreement.

Problem-solving procedure: First speak with the café manager. If the problem is not resolved, ask a trusted adult or appropriate employment service for help.

Colour key: 🟦 job title   🟩 pay   🟨 hours   🟪 leave   🟧 duties   🟥 trial/probation   ⬛ problem-solving

🟦 Job title: ____________________   Why it matters: This protects both sides because ________________________________.

🟩 Pay: _________________________   Why it matters: This protects both sides because ________________________________.

🟨 Hours: _______________________   Why it matters: This protects both sides because ________________________________.

🟪 Leave: _______________________   Why it matters: This protects both sides because ________________________________.

🟧 Duties: ______________________   Why it matters: This protects both sides because ________________________________.

🟥 Trial or probation: ____________   Why it matters: This protects both sides because ________________________________.

⬛ Problem-solving procedure: _____   Why it matters: This protects both sides because ________________________________.

Dyslexia-friendly option: ask for the agreement to be read aloud, use the accessible one-clause-per-line version, or listen to an audio version.

🔎 Part 2: Spot missing or unclear information

Task: Identify what is unclear and create one useful question before signing.

My question: How much will I be paid, and when will I be paid?

My question: ____________________________________________________________

My question: ____________________________________________________________

Respond by: writing, speaking, pointing to a prepared choice, dictating, or making an audio recording.

✅ Part 3: Before signing

Success criteria: I can explain why a written agreement matters and ask a relevant question.

One important agreement detail is __________________ because ________________________________.

For extra challenge: Which clause might need clarification or legal advice? Explain why and suggest a precise question.