Saturday/Day jobs.

[_sophie_]

heeeeey.
well im 14, and basically just wanting a saturday job, or a job on a friday afternoon maybe. i'd like to do something in a cafe or even in a shop. im going to try some, but i was wondering if anyone knew if you can do some childcare at this age as i've always wanted to do that? i have some experience from working in my mums nursery haha, but dont know if someone would still let me do childcare?
any tips or just general info about saturday jobs would be good too! thankss.

[crisgal]

well done you on wanting to get a little job in your spare time! But I'm afraid you may be disappointed sophie.

I don't think you are legally allowed to work anywhere until you are 16 :(

You could of course do a paper round (wandering the streets in the dark, unsupervised!)
It's ridiculous, I know - I hope the law has changed and you are able to find something. x

[Sammy Snake]

You are allowed to work at 14 but there are very strict laws which govern when and how many hours you are allowed to do.

What kinds of work can be done by 14 year olds?

The Children and Young Persons Act (1933) sets 14 as the minimum age at which children may be employed, and gives the following restrictions:

* No child shall do any work other than light work. �Light work� in this case is defined as tasks and working conditions which would not be harmful to the safety, health or development of children, and would not compromise their education.
* A 14 year old may not work for more than five hours on a Saturday or any other day (other than a Sunday) during the holidays. On a Sunday a 14 year old may only work 2 hours.
* On a school day, a 14 year old may not work: during school hours; before 7.00am or after 7.00pm; for more than 2 hours a day; or for more than 12 hours in any school week.
* In the holidays a 14 year old may not work for more than 25 hours in any week, or for more than four hours in any day without a rest break of one hour.
* A child must have at least two consecutive non-school weeks a year without work.

In addition to this, children are not allowed to work in the following areas:

* Street trading (though some local authorities do allow children of 14 to be employed by their parents in street trading)
* Performing abroad (without a specific licence from a justice of the peace)
* Scrap metal sales
* Betting shops
* Petrol Stations
* House to house charitable collections