Work
Before getting a job
Under 16 and want to work?
What you need to know
You need to know what you can and can't do and at what age. What you can and can't do are laid down by law and apply to you whether you are a disabled or non-disabled young person.
If you're 13 or 14 ...
On school days you can only work up to two hours a day, one hour before school and one hour after school. In the school holidays you can work up to five hours a day by for no more than 25 hours in a week and for two weeks of the school holidays, you cannot work at all. On Saturdays, you can work up to five hours and two hours on a Sunday.
If you're 15 or 16 ...
On school days you can only work up to two hours a day, one hour before school and one hour after school. On Saturdays, you can work up to eight hours and two hours on a Sunday. In the school holidays you can work up to eight hours a day, but no more than 35 hours in a week and for two weeks in the school holiday, you cannot work at all.
Don't forget that if you want to get a full time job, you have to have left school first. If you are 16, you need to wait to leave school until the last Friday in June.
If you are under the age of 16 you have a permit issued by your local authority and signed by your employer in order to work legally.
What you can do
- Have a think about the best ways to find a job. Shops, restaurants, supermarkets and hotels often employ young people.
- Make some enquiries to see if there are any paper rounds available near you. You could also consider delivering leaflets.
- Ask your family and friends to see if they have any pet sitting, dog walking, gardening, cleaning, car washing or baby-sitting that you could do for them. These aren't classed as 'employment' so you will not need a permit.
- Make sure that if you do get a job you think about your personal safety when traveling to and from work. Is there reliable public transport or can an adult take you and pick you up?
