Work - legal issues

Young person looking for a job?

There are certain legal issues you need to be aware of.

Some of them are rules, for example about how much you can work, or which types of jobs.

Others give you rights, for example to a fair wage and breaks.

Legal issues

You can work up to:

• 5 hours a day on Saturdays and school holidays (max 24 hours a week) at age 13-14
• 8 hours a day on Saturdays and school holidays (max 35 hours a week) at age 15 (and age 16 if you haven't reached the legal school leaving date)
• 8 hours a day 6 days a week at age 16 (when you have passed the school leaving date) and age 17

There are also limits to the sort of work you can do.

More information: Oxfordshire County Council

Wages

From October 2010 the minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds above compulsory school leaving age is £3.64 per hour. Apprentices who are 16 or 17 years old are exempt from this but should be paid at least £95 a week.

More about apprenticeships, getting a job

National insurance (NI)

Everyone is sent a plastic card with their National Insurance (NI) number at age 16. NI is deducted from your wages once you earn £110+ a week.

Tax

Tax is usually taken out of your wages automatically. If you earn below £6,475 a year you can claim the tax back at the end of the tax year. Save your PAYE slips! Contact your local tax office for a Repayment Claim form.

 

Experience

I started looking for a part-time job by walking around town centre to see the different shops and enquire if there were any vacancies. One shop gave me an application form and I filled it with a lot of detail as I thought it was a good way to stand out from other applicants. I was given an interview shortly afterwards. I dressed smartly and brought a notebook which had a few questions in it for example the pay and the uniform. I also brought my Record of Achievement because I could show them certificates and photos from my hobbies. I tried to be confident and not give one-word answers or look at the floor but at the interviewer. A week later I was offered the Job. – Hannah Wolf, 16, Witney

Links

These websites will help you find information advice and guidance around careers and choices online:

• Connexions Opportunities
  Jobs suitable for young people in Oxfordshire
• Apprenticeship Vacancy Matching Service
  Find an apprenticeship to suit you
• Jobseekers on Direct Gov
  Job Vacancies from the Job Centre

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