Are you considering employing young workers over the school holidays?

If you are considering employing school age children or young workers over the holiday period then there are different restrictions applying to both categories.

In law, a "child" is a person who is not over "compulsory school age"; who has not yet lawfully left school. Most local authority by-laws prohibit the employment of school age children in occupations such as hotel kitchens, fish and chip shops and restaurants. I would urge you to contact your local education authority to see if your business would be prohibited from employing school age children.

The employment of school age children is regulated and under the legislation:

No child may be employed if they are under the age of 14

They may not be employed for more than 35 hours (or, if under 15, for more than 25 hours) in any one week where the child is not required to attend school

They cannot be employed before 7.00 am or after 7.00 pm

They may not be employed for more than eight hours (or, if under 15, for more than five hours) on any day or for more than two hours on a Sunday

They must receive a rest break lasting at least one hour if they work for more than four consecutive hours

Note; these apply when the child is not required to attend school, such as during school holiday periods. Please be aware that the restrictions differ during term time.

Before employing a school age child you must apply to the relevant local education authority for an Employment Certificate.

Young workers are those who are over the minimum school leaving age but have not yet reached the age of 18. You must ensure that young workers receive a 30 minute rest period if they are required to work over 4 and half hours in any one shift and also when assessing any risks to health and safety take into account lack of experience, lack of awareness of risk and lack of maturity.