Buddy says: There is a lot of legislation regarding the treatment of young people in employment.  Regulation in this area is designed to protect the young employee, who is generally less experienced in issues which arise from being employed. 

Although employing younger staff has its obvious benefits, the decision to take on younger employees comes with associated risks which should not be ignored.    

Employer information: Under the Children and Young Persons Act (“the Act”) no child under 13 may be employed.  There is an exception for certain types of performance, such as acting, where a part can only be undertaken by a child of that age.  Furthermore, nobody under 16 may be employed in manufacturing or any dangerous activity.     

Working hours are strictly controlled and in most cases, a licence is required from the child’s local authority.  In England, Wales and Scotland, young people aged between 13 and the minimum school leaving age may not do any work, paid or unpaid:

• Before 7am or after 7pm
• For more than 2 hours on a school day or Sunday 
• Before the close of school hours (however, Local Authority bylaws may allow young people to work for 1 hour before school)
• For more than 12 hours a week during term time
• For more than 5 hours (13 to 14 year olds) or 8 hours (15 to 16 year olds) on Saturdays and during school holidays on weekdays
• For more than 25 hours in total a week – 35 hours if aged 15 or over – during school holidays
• For more than 4 hours without taking a break of at least 1 hour
• In any occupations prohibited by local bylaws or other legislation, for example in any industrial setting, pubs, betting shops, or in any work that may be harmful to their health, well-being or education

In addition, young people must have a 2 week break from any work during the school holiday in each calendar year and an employer is obliged to follow special rules about rest breaks, time off and holidays for young workers.

It is important that an employer undertakes a risk assessment before taking on school-age workers, or review its existing risk assessment (to take into account their immaturity and inexperience).  In addition, arrangements should be made for adequate supervision of these individuals whilst they are undertaking work.

If workers are over the minimum school leaving age but under 18, they must not work for more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.  If you employ anybody in this age group you must also give them:

• A break of 30 minutes every 4.5 hours worked
• A rest period of 12 hours between each working day
• 2 days off a week