Children

Children under the age of 13 years cannot be employed in any capacity. Thirteen-year-olds can do light work that is not harmful to their health and safety, school attendance or other factors, and which is permitted under local authority by-laws.

There are strict limits on the working hours of children under 16. Fourteen-year-olds can work up to five hours on weekdays and Saturdays during the school holidays. In all, they cannot do more than 25 hours a week.

Fifteen-year-olds can do up to eight hours a day and 35 hours a week, again only during the school holidays. A child under the age of 16 cannot work more than two hours on a school day or Sunday. They cannot work in industrial undertakings, including transport, street trading, merchant shipping or mining. Employers must have carried out a risk assessment before offering employment to a child or young person.

Children have the right to a rest break of at least an hour in any shift lasting more than four hours, and to a two-week break from any work during school holidays. By-laws regarding the employment of children should be available from your local authority.