Hours of work for a 15 year old.

[cheater123]

I'm sure there is a limit as to how many hours I can work at 15. Just wondering as I have worked today (10am-5:30pm) and have been asked to cover for a lad as he is going on holiday so that will mean I will be working everyday except friday until next sunday. Is this actually legal?

[clarebear86]

I always thought you had to be 16 to work in the U.K as you need a national insurance number. I know you can be younger for baby sitting or doing a paper round but 10 til 5:30 seems like a proper job maybe I am wrong not clued on up legal stuff im sure someone else on here will know.

[joanne713]

you can work at 15, i did (23 now though and i dont think it has changed)
not sure on the hours though

[joanne713]

just found regulations on opsi.gov.uk
"young worker" means a worker who has attained the age of 15 but not the age of 18"
" Maximum working time for young workers
5A. - (1) A young worker's working time shall not exceed -
(a) eight hours a day, or
(b) 40 hours a week.
(2) If, on any day, or, as the case may be, during any week, a young worker is employed by more than one employer, his working time shall be determined for the purpose of paragraph (1) by aggregating the number of hours worked by him for each employer.
(3) For the purposes of paragraphs (1) and (2), a week starts at midnight between Sunday and Monday.
(4) An employer shall take all reasonable steps, in keeping with the need to protect the health and safety of workers, to ensure that the limits specified in paragraph (1) are complied with in the case of each worker employed by him in relation to whom they apply."

[clarebear86]

joanne just out of curiosity do you get paid cash in hand at 15? just interested as when I did work experience when I was 15 at dorothy perkins I was offered a part time saturday job but had to wait til I was 16 and received my national insurance number.

[kempie]

http://www.bizhelp24.com/business-law/employme nt-law-for-young-children-3.html

[joanne713]

no i didnt, it was all through lloyds pharmacy. you only need a NI when you are eligible to pay tax and that starts at 16

[joanne713]

why did my answer get banned??? is it coz i quoted something? i dont get it!!!!

[kempie]

Children are not exempt from taxation.

If a child is lucky enough to earn more than their Personal Tax Allowance (�5,035 for 2006-7) they would need to pay tax at the appropriate rate for all earnings over that amount.

[Buenchico]

At 15 years old, during the school holidays, the maximum time you can work is 8 hours per day, Monday to Saturday, and 2 hours per day on Sundays, subject to a MAXIMUM OF 35 HOURS PER WEEK:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/Parents/FamilyIssuesA ndTheLaw/ChildrensRights/ChildrensRightsArticl es/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4002945&chk=AaZA0p

It's also important to remember that anyone who employs you during the school holidays must ensure that you have a minimum of 2 weeks 'genuine holiday'. i.e. If you have 6 weeks summer holiday, anyone who employs you must ensure that the total period of your employment (with that employer or with any other employer) does not exceed 4 weeks.

Chris

[cheater123]

Thanks for all your answers. :-)

I got my job after work experience and get cash in hand but then again the other two lads who are 17 and 18 also get cash in hand and the same pay as me!

[derekpara]

I don't know what type of work you do but I would check to make sure your employer has Employers Liability Insurance to cover you in vase of Injury. From what you say I doubt if he carries this insurance and therefor you are at risk. Be careful.

[derekpara]

It would be polite of you to thank those of us who have given you advice. It is called 'common courtesy' - but apparently it is not so common !

[KaTiEEEKinz]

well derekpara u didnt even give any advice so maybe u shud not post comments like that on here!!!!!