Help on under 16's working hours

devonmark

HI All,

Just wondering if you could point me in the right direction, my family have just taken over a Pub in devon and everything is going well.

Last week i was watching the news and there was a story about underage working in resturants and Kitchens. It stated that it was illegal for anyone under 16 to work past 7pm and illegal for anyone under 16 to work in a commercial kitchen.

Does anyone know if theis is true, or where i can find anything online that tells me about employing under 16's. we have about 3 waitresses that are under 16 and i want to know if we are breaking the law by employing them!!!

Thanks in advance

Mark

COOLTRIKERCHICK

i should imagine the under 16's in a comercial kitchen would be correct, due to the health and safety issue... as i should also imagine that your insurance would not cover people under a certain age....

i would personally contact a union.... or your local employment department... which i am sure would give you all the information you need... on young people working times etc.....

if i was you i would check your insurance policy....as well....regarding age of workers etc...

Bean_Counter

Try this link.

Savvy_Sue

don't wish to add to your worries, but I thought if you were employing under 16s you had to let the local council know. I know every time mine have started a new paper round I've had a letter from the local council setting out what hours they can work etc.

It was clear from what I saw on the news that it was OK for the lass to be working there, as long as she didn't go into the kitchen. So if someone could bring the food out of the kitchen, she could take it to the tables. However, if you've got the capacity to get it out of the kitchen in the first place, how badly do you need a waitress?

TBH, I've always been really surprised that under 18s can work in pubs or licensed premises AT ALL!

I'm sure Bean Counter's link will set it all out clearly!