This guide is for young people still at school and looking for part time work.
There are laws to protect you if you are working part time that your employer must follow.
The following provides you with information about the work you are allowed to do as well as when you are allowed to work. It also tells you what your employer must do to protect your health, safety and welfare.
- You must be 13 or over (for some jobs you will need to be 14 or over)
- Your employer must register you as working for them with the local authority
Some jobs you cannot do, for example:
- You cannot sell: alcohol, cigarettes, medicines and door to door
- You cannot work with dangerous machinery
- You cannot work in a: kitchen, amusement arcade or fairground, theatre, cinema, disco, warehouse, factory or butchers
How many hours can you work?
You are only allowed to work between 7am and 7pm on any day of the week
On Sundays you are only allowed to work up to two hours and it must be between 7am and 7pm
If you are aged 13 or 14 years:
- on a school day you can work up to two hours a day but not during school time. This can be either one hour before and after school or two hours after school.
- on Saturdays you can work up to five hours.
- but no more than 12 hours per week during the school term.
- in school holidays you can work up to five hours a day and up to 25 hours a week.
If you are aged 15 or 16 years:
- on a school day you can work up to two hours a day but not during school time. This can be either one hour before and after school or two hours after school.
- on Saturdays you can work up to eight hours – but no more than 12 hours per week during the school term.
- in school holidays you can work up to eight hours a day and up to 35 hours a week.
All children must have at least two consecutive weeks holiday every year without working.
Can I be stopped from working?
Yes, your employer will be told to end your job if:
- You don't attend school
- You are late for school (because of your job)
- Your education or health suffers
Important to remember
- Your employer is responsible for your health, safety and welfare when you are working. They must ensure you have appropriate clothes and shoes for the job you are doing. Accidents do happen at work.
- The hours you are offered fit with the law.
- Your parent/legal guardian must agree.
- Find out about your pay. Talk it over with your parents so they can give you advice on whether it is a fair amount.
- These laws cover you until the end of June of Year 11 even if you turn 16 earlier in that school year.
What else do I need to know?
This page details the general rules about child employment. If you have any questions or would like further information, about part-time work whilst you are still at school please contact the Child Employment Team at childemployment@surreycc.gov.uk.
