Child employment law reminder
Released: 10 Jul 2007
With the school summer holidays drawing near, it is timely to remind employers and parents of the rules regarding the employment of children who are still of compulsory school age.
Many children will be looking for something to do during the summer break and earning some extra money in the process. However, there are regulations in place which exist to safeguard the health and well-being of children while they are at work.
It is important that any child who is employed does so strictly in accordance with the law. These rules are not just red tape, they exist to protect children. A person wishing to employ a child should notify Wolverhampton City Council’s child employment section, part of the Safeguarding Service, at the Jennie Lee Centre, Lichfield Road, Wednesfield, within 7 days of the commencement of the employment in order to register the employment.
During the school holidays children aged 13-14 years can work up to 5 hours a day (maximum 25 hours per week); children aged 15-16 can work up to 8 hours a day (maximum 35 hours per week). Children may not work before 7.00 am or after 7.00 pm. It is illegal to employ a child who is under the age of 13.
Prohibited employments include working in factories, betting shops, fried fish shops, pubs, theatres and garage forecourts. Door to door selling, canvassing, street trading, cash collection, delivering milk and any kind of building work are also prohibited.
For further advice or to register a child for employment please contact childemployment@wolverhampton.gov.uk or telephone 01902 555233.
Issued by the press office.
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