Child Employment
The employment of children in part time work is controlled by
legislation and there are strict rules about what a child can and
cannot do. A child is a young person who is under the upper limit
of compulsory school age. (A child’s compulsory schooling finishes
on the last Friday in June of the school year during which they
have their 16th birthday and does not finish on their 16th
birthday). More information can be found in the Employment of Children Byelaws (PDF,
49KB).
Employing a child - what you need to know
The following is a brief guide:
- The employer is responsible for all aspects of the child’s
safety and well being during the time the child is employed.
- The employer must carry out a Risk Assessment for the child’s
duties and share its findings with the child’s parent.
- A child is considered to be employed even though he/she might
not be paid or might be paid ‘in kind’.
- A child is employed if they are assisting the employer in his
business.
- Within 7 days of the child starting work the employer must
apply for an Employment Licence (MS Word, 254KB) from the Local
Education Authority for every child who works for him/her,
including his/her own children.
Any employer who allows a child of school age to work,
without first obtaining a work permit, is breaking the law and
could be prosecuted. Without a work permit the child is working
illegally and without insurance.
An Employment Permit Application Form must be completed by the
employer, signed by the parent or guardian of the child and
returned to the Child Employment and Entertainment Office.
When authorised, a work permit will be issued to the child and
notification will be sent to the employer. If the child does not
receive a work permit it might mean that no application has been
made. This could mean that the child is not covered by the
employer's insurance in the event of an accident at work.
Restrictions on Child Employment
- A child under the age of 13 years cannot be employed.
- No child may work at any time between the hours of 7.00pm and
7.00am the following day.
- A child cannot work for more than 2 hours on any Sunday.
- A child cannot work for more than 2 hours on a school day.
- A child cannot be employed during school hours.
- A child must not work for more than 12 hours in a ‘school’
week.
For a complete list of restrictions please refer to
the Employment of Children
Byelaws (PDF, 49KB).
Children Aged 13
Children aged 13 years may only be employed in light work in
specified occupations, some of which are listed below.
- Delivery of newspapers/leaflets (but no child must collect
money)
- Shop assistant - including shelf stacking
- Domestic work in hotel
- Waitering in a café/restaurant (subject to certain
conditions)
- Office Clerical work (provided not within the confines of a
factory)
- Shampooing, sweeping up in a hairdressers
Children aged 13 and 14
A child aged 13 or 14 years must not be employed for more than 5
hours on a Saturday or school holiday and can work up to a maximum
of 25 hours a week during school holidays.
Children aged 15 and 16
A child of 15 or 16 years must not be employed for more than 8
hours on a Saturday or a school holiday and can work up to a
maximum of 35 hours a week during school holidays.
Prohibited employment
No child of statutory school age may be employed, for reward or
no reward:
- to deliver milk
- to deliver fuel oils
- in a commercial kitchen (fish and chip shop)
- in a slaughterhouse or any part of a butcher's shop
- in any work higher than 3 metres above the ground or floor
level
- to collect or sort refuse
- to collect money or to sell or canvass door to door
- in employment involving harmful exposure to physical,
biological or chemical agents
- in any work involving exposure to adult material or situations
unsuitable for children (video shop)
- in telephone sales
- in a cinema, theatre, dance hall or night club, except in
connection with a performance given by children, for which a
licence has been granted
- on garage premises or selling petrol
- in a bar or licensed premises during opening hours
- in a licensed betting office
- at any machine prescribed as dangerous
- in a factory
- to prepare food
- in the personal care of residents of any residential care or
nursing home
- to sell intoxicating liquor, medicines, etc.
- at a fairground or similar place of public amusement
- Any work which may be described as dangerous
Apply for an Employment Permit
General Advice for Parent and Employers on Child
Employment
General Advice for Children and Young People on Child
Employment
Find out more information on Child Employment
To find out more information or gain some general advice you can
get in touch with the Child Employment and Entertainment Office via
our contact details below.
