Regulations for 14 year olds

NessyS

Hi, I'm new here as I wanted to find out if anyone can explain the regulations surrounding 14 year olds getting part-time work. All I can see is that they can't work more than 12 hours a week so as not to interfere with school which is fine by me but that should allow them a Saturday/Sunday jobs doing something other than a paper round or babysitting! My son is really keen on earning his own pocket money and we have asked around local shops to see if he can stack shelves or something but they all say it's too difficult to employ him as his age.

It's very frustrating as he's at the age where I think they definitely should start to get some independence by earning their own money and learning how to manage it, get the discipline of being on time and working hard and building their confidence out in the world. We get told different things, either something to do with minimum wage regulations or the number of hours but they don't explain the actual reason. Surely employers wouldn't have to pay any NI or tax for under 18s so it can't cost them much to take them on?

Any thoughts?

Brynsam

Yes. Watch last night's edition of Shop Well for Less: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0007sxm/shop-well-for-less-series-4-episode-5

Steph McGovern covers exactly this point towards the end of the programme - and you can then tactfully educate the shopkeepers! The 14 year old featured in the show is thrilled to get a job at the local hairdressing salon.

Lomast

As a former company director im afraid the main reason will be that every insurer i spoke to would not cover anyone under the age of 16 some even 18.

The only exemption i did find was that some would insure children of the directors

ReadingTim

You can't force a business to employ people, and if that business has decided it's too difficult to employ under 16s, then so be it.

Yes, it's annoying if that decision has been made by someone who is ignorant of, or misunderstands the regulations, but at the end of the day, it's their business, and their rules.

Knock on enough doors and I'm sure someone will take him on. In the meantime, he's learning perseverance and resilience.

JGB1955

I think it's a combination of insurance requirements and the need for a licence from some local authorities....


https://www.gov.uk/child-employment/restrictions-on-child-employment

Takeaway_Addict

NessyS wrote: »

Hi, I'm new here as I wanted to find out if anyone can explain the regulations surrounding 14 year olds getting part-time work. All I can see is that they can't work more than 12 hours a week so as not to interfere with school which is fine by me but that should allow them a Saturday/Sunday jobs doing something other than a paper round or babysitting! My son is really keen on earning his own pocket money and we have asked around local shops to see if he can stack shelves or something but they all say it's too difficult to employ him as his age.

It's very frustrating as he's at the age where I think they definitely should start to get some independence by earning their own money and learning how to manage it, get the discipline of being on time and working hard and building their confidence out in the world. We get told different things, either something to do with minimum wage regulations or the number of hours but they don't explain the actual reason. Surely employers wouldn't have to pay any NI or tax for under 18s so it can't cost them much to take them on?

Any thoughts?

Very few companies that have weekend workers want someone who can only do 2 hours on Sunday, even 5 hours on a saturday is not particularly common.

There are just far to many restrictions on those under 16 for companies to bother with

theoretica

Also likely to be a lot of concern about child protection.

System

In my experience don’t waste your time. Sit about until 16 and get an apprenticeship or retail. Then at 18 get a ‘real’ job. Most companies don’t cover under 18’s as I’ve learned the hard way. Can’t do any warehouse work (at the places I’ve looked), no jet washing HGV’s on site, no jobs worth doing. At 17 I got a job as someone’s personal slave unloading a van all day long and being treated like a piece of s**t for minimum wage however I never actually got paid for the work I did.

It’s upsetting when you want to earn money desperately but you can’t because of ‘law’.

Once even had an interview booked however luckily rang up again to check if they would accept 17 year olds and they laughed and said “don’t bother son, we don’t cover kids”

Unless you have family to employ you under 18 it’s really not like it was ‘back in the day’

NessyS

Thanks everyone, just what I was hoping for. Will watch that programme and the government website link was really useful. He has applied for a Saturday job that is actually asking for 5 hours on a Saturday so hoping they’re looking for someone his age.

The insurance thing is annoying but what bothers me more is that a paper round job seems to go against most of the regulations and you’d think would be more high risk than working in a shop!

Fingers crossed he’ll find something soon!

kingfisherblue

Although I realise that he wants to earn money, has he considered volunteering? It may be another strand to consider. I volunteered in my local library at 14, to gain experience. One of my Guides is going to be a Young Leader when she is 14 - she's currently volunteering as a Brownie Helper. There are lots of other options.

DCFC79

Do you know anyone who runs a business ?
A neighbour maybe.