Working Time Directive
The Working Time Regulations were introduced in 1998 and subsequently amended in 2003 to provide enhanced rights to workers under the age of 18, and to ensure that all workers do not have to work excessive hours
Aged 14
- may not work for more than 2 hours on weekdays and Sundays, and not more than five hours on Saturdays, during term time
- may not work more than five hours on weekdays or Saturdays, and no more than two hours on a Sunday, during school holidays
- may not work before 7am or after 7pm
Aged 15-16
- The same as 14 year olds, but they are allowed to work for up to eight hours on Saturdays and during school holidays
This applies to 16 year olds who are still in school
Young workers aged 16 to their 18th birthday
- may not ordinarily be employed for more than 8 hours per day
- may not ordinarily be employed for more than a maximum of 40 hours per week (including overtime)
- are entitled to 12 hours consecutive hours of rest in each 24 hour period
- are entitled to minimum 30 minutes rest break when they work more than 4 ½ hrs
- are usually prohibited from working between 10pm and 6am or 11pm and 7am, although there are some exemptions (workers in hospitals, catering, postal deliveries)
Permit required for children under official school leaving age
Employers also need a permit to employ Children. Contact needs to be made with the local authority within your area :
- Halton – contact the Education Welfare Service on 01928 704380
- Knowsley – visit www.knowsley.gov.uk/education/work_based_learning to apply online
- Liverpool – contact the Safeguarding / Child Licensing Team on 0151 225 6242
- Sefton – contact Education Welfare Service on 0151 934 3359
- Wirral – contact the Child Employment Officer on 0151 637 6060
Aged 16-17
- may not ordinarily be employed for more than 8 hours per day
- may not ordinarily be employed for more than a maximum of 40 hours per week (including overtime)
- are entitled to 12 hours consecutive hours of rest in each 24 hour period
- are entitled to minimum 30 minutes rest break when they work more than 4 ½ hrs
- are usually prohibited from working between 10pm and 6am or 11pm and 7am, although there are some exemptions (workers in hospitals, catering, postal deliveries)
- this applies to 16 and 17 year olds who have left school
The maximum for those over 18
- is 48 hours per week, including any overtime (but with the option to opt out at any time)
- and a rest break of at least 20 minutes after 6 consecutive hours of work
You can find further information on the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (previously the DTI) website at http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employment-legislation/working-time-regs/index.html
or use the ACAS National helpline 08457 47 47 47 or website at www.acas.org.uk
For further information about the Working Time Directive contact our Vacancy Services Team
Tel FREEPHONE 0800 028 4723 9am to 5pm Monday- Friday
Email: vst@connexions-gmerseyside.co.uk
