Employment
No one under 16 can legally be employed in work other than light work, or undertake any work which is likely to be harmful to their safety, health, development, or that will affect their attendance at school or participation in work experience. Children under the age of 14 can only be employed in specific areas.
Specific rules in any given area will be governed by local authority by-laws. Employers who want to employ children or young people under school leaving age are required to get a permit from their local authority. The permit must be signed by both the employer and one of the child’s parents. There are strict rules as to how many hours a young person under 16 can legally work. A person of compulsory school age must not work more than two hours on a school day, or more than twelve hours in any week when s/he is attending school.
Under 16 year olds are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage, nor to paid holiday, and young people over 16 but under 22 receive a lower Minimum Wage. The UN Committee have expressed concern that this discriminates against the most vulnerable workers.
Specific rules in any given area will be governed by local authority by-laws. Employers who want to employ children or young people under school leaving age are required to get a permit from their local authority. The permit must be signed by both the employer and one of the child’s parents. There are strict rules as to how many hours a young person under 16 can legally work. A person of compulsory school age must not work more than two hours on a school day, or more than twelve hours in any week when s/he is attending school.
Under 16 year olds are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage, nor to paid holiday, and young people over 16 but under 22 receive a lower Minimum Wage. The UN Committee have expressed concern that this discriminates against the most vulnerable workers.
