What the law says about child employment

An application form, signed by your parents and employer, should be completed and sent to us within 1 week of starting work.

The Law says that if you work, the following rules apply until you reach school leaving age.

Working rules for 13-year-olds

13-year-olds may not be employed, except in light work, in one or more of the following specified categories:

Agricultural or horticultural work
Delivery of newspapers
Shop work
Hairdressing salons
Office work
Car washing by hand in a private residential setting
In a cafe or restaurant
In a riding stables and domestic work in hotels and other establishments offering accommodation

Working rules for people aged 14 or over

I may be employed only in light work in all the occupations listed above and others, which may be subject to the byelaws.

Working hour rules for 13 and 14-year-olds

Working hours for 13 and 14-year-olds
School days	Saturdays	Sundays	School holidays
Not more than a total of 2 hours in a day at the following times: 1. In the morning from 7am to half an hour before school starts 2. In the evening between close of school and 7pm Totals worked each week must not exceed 12 hours	5 hours a day between 7am and 7pm	Only 2 hours between 7am and 7pm	5 hours a day on any week day - except Sundays -between 7am and 7pm Totals worked each week must not exceed 25 hours

Working hour rules for 15 and 16-year-olds

Working hours for 15 and 16-year-olds
School days	Saturdays	Sundays	School holidays
Not more than a total of 2 hours in a day at the following times: 1. In the morning from 7am to half an hour before school starts 2. In the evening between close of school and 7pm Totals worked each week must not exceed 12 hours	8 hours a day between 7am and 7pm	Only 2 hours between 7am and 7pm	8 hours a day on any weekday - except Sundays - between 7am and 7pm Totals worked each week must not exceed 35 hours

Compulsory school age

A young person reaches the end of compulsory school age on the last Friday in June in the school year during which he / she becomes 16.

When you reach 16, you will not require a work permit after the school leaving date. Contact us for more details.