Employment of children and young people – working hours

Children may work for maximum of 12 hours in any week during term time.

Age 13-14

School days:

  • up to a maximum of two hours in one day
  • only one hour may be worked between 7am and the start of school
  • no work may be undertaken during the school day
  • work can be undertaken in the evenings between the close of school and 7pm
  • no work may be undertaken after 7pm.

Saturdays:

  • a maximum of five hours between 7am and 7pm
  • they must have a rest break of one hour every four hours.

Sundays:

  • a maximum of two hours between 7am and 7pm.

School holidays:

  • maximum of five hours per day Monday to Saturday between 7am and 7pm (only two hours on Sunday)
  • maximum 25 hours a week
  • they must have a break from work of two consecutive weeks during the year taken during school holidays
  • they must have a rest break of one hour every four hours.

Age 15-16

School days

  • up to a maximum of two hours in one day
  • only one hour may be worked between 7am and the start of school
  • no work may be undertaken during the school day
  • work can be undertaken in the evenings between the close of school and 7pm
  • no work may be undertaken after 7pm.

Saturdays                    

  • a maximum of eight hours between 7am and 7pm
  • they must have a rest break of one hour every four hours.

Sundays

  • two hours between 7am and 7pm.

School holidays                     

  • maximum of eight hours per day Monday to Saturday between 7am and 7pm (only two hours on Sunday)
  • maximum 35 hours a week
  • they must have a break from work of two consecutive weeks during the year taken during school holidays
  • they must have a rest break of one hour every four hours.