Education 'n' Work

Part-time work

We've produced a great leaflet for you to read:

Starting Work

Under Suffolk bye-laws at 13 years old you can get a part-time job.

However, while you are still of compulsory school age (which means until the last Friday in June in Year 11), there are some rules that need to be followed first:

School days

You can work up to 2 hours on a school day, but not during school hours.

On school days, you cannot work before 7.00am or after 7.00pm, and only up to a maximum of 12 hours per week.

Saturdays

At 13 years you can work 5 hours between 7.00am and 7.00pm.

At 15 years you can work 8 hours between 7.00am and 7.00pm.

Sundays

You can only work between 7.00am and 7.00pm, up to a maximum of 2 hours.

During school holidays (includes weekends)

At 13 years you can work up to a maximum of 25 hours per week. The same limits for working on Saturday and Sunday apply.

At 15 years you can work up to a maximum of 35 hours per week. The same limits for working on Saturday and Sunday apply.

At all ages you should have a one hour break if you work for more than four hours in one day. Your employer should also ensure that you have a two week break during school holidays each year.

Some examples of work you can do:

  • You can do light work in shops or garden centres
  • Light work in agriculture/horticulture
  • Delivering newspapers, journals and other printed material
  • Office work
  • Car washing by hand in a private residential setting
  • Shampooing and sweeping up in a hairdressing salon
  • Waiting at tables
  • Some work with animals
  • In a cafe or restaurant
  • In riding stables
  • Undertake domestic work in hotels

Some examples of work you cannot do:

  • Work in a cinema, theatre, dance hall, disco or night club
  • Undertake food preparation
  • Clean windows or do any job which involves you being more than three metres off the ground
  • Do a job which may bring you into contact with harmful chemicals
  • Call at peoples’ houses to collect money
  • Work in telephone sales
  • Work in a fairground or amusement arcade
  • Work in "personal care" in a residential or nursing home

What do I need when I start work?

First you need to have a work permit from the Local Education Authority (LEA):

Apply for a Work Permit from the Local Education Authority (LEA)

Who has to fill it out?

The form contains sections to be completed by yourself, your employer and your parents. You cannot start work until your work permit has been returned to you.

Why do I need a work permit?

Your employer could be prosecuted for employing you without a work permit. Also if you have an accident whilst at work, your employer's insurance would be invalid if you do not have a work permit. However, more importantly, the LEA must ensure that what you are doing is safe.

How long does a work permit last?

Your permit lasts for as long as your job does. However, if you change jobs you must re-apply for a new permit.

Could I have my permit taken off me?

Yes if the local Education Authority believed that you are being unlawfully employed, or that your health, welfare, or education is suffering because of your work.

Do people working for their parents in a family business need a work permit?

Yes. Young people helping out in a family shop or business as a chore or to earn some pocket money are employed and need to be covered by a work permit.

Thinking about babysitting?

You do not need a work permit to babysit and there is no law about the age that you can babysit. The parents/carers of the baby/young child who employ a babysitter under the age of 16 are legally responsible for anything that happens.


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