DS(14) being asked to work illegal hours

[tactum]

DS(14) works in a catering establishment 2 evening shifts as week. 8 hours in total, finishing around 9.30.

Now he's being asked to work 3/4 shifts which he is keen to do. I've already put it lots of provisos about homework etc but he doesn't seem to get v much n has evenings on Xbox so said we could try it til Xmas and then review. Have said definitely not going to do it in y11.

Anyway I just thought I'd check the legal position and from what I can glean he shouldn't do more than 12 hrs a week and not beyond 7 pm on a school night - which he does.

So ways? Surely the employer must know this? So he's already breaking the 7 pm rule and now wants to break the 12 hour rule. It sounds dodgy to me. Presumably it's cos he can get away with paying him less than an older person....

Wwyd not ways sorry!!!!!

The gov.uk site says no more than 2 hours on a school day in term time.

Employer should be aware and realise this isn't allowed, I would think.

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

The very fact that the employer is happy to employ a 14 year old screams "dodgy". Very few reputable employers will take under 16s as there are so many hoops to jump through in terms of breaks and restricted hours.

Sounds like the employer is exploiting cheap labour and doesn't care about maximum hours and breaks.

Is he enjoying it? Does he get on well with his boss and colleagues? Is he always paid in full and on time? Is he currently being paid at least the minimum hourly wage for a 14 year old?

If yes to all those things I wouldn't put any spokes in the wheels. Working now will really help teach him the value of money (I wish I had earned for myself as a teenager!) responsibility, a good work ethic, something for the CV... all of that! If all he'd be doing if he wasn't working is gaming it's a good break from screen time too!

I would talk to him about it though, ensure he doesn't feel pressured into working more than he wants to. I would also suggest he asks for a pay rise. Just because there's a minimum wage for youngsters doesn't mean he shouldn't earn over it.

um if he is this iffy about hours how obedient is he to health & safety etc? its illegal for a reason - for this young lads health & wellbeing & nothing should supersede that

Does your son have a work permit? In our area (might be different in others), under 16s have to have a work permit that is approved by the school in order to do any paid work. My two both have them for their paper rounds and are supposed to carry them with them. They came with a letter setting out the legalities of under 16s working. If his employer hasn't sorted out a work permit, I'd be reluctant to let him work there at all.

Ditto, we need a work permit here too if under 16. He's probably not insured. What's he doing as there are also rules on what they can do.