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Working while you're at school
There are laws that apply to you so you need to know what you can and can't do and at what age.
If you're 13 or 14...
On school days you can work for up to two hours a day, one hour before school and one hour after school. In the school holidays you can work up to five hours a day but for no more than 25 hours in a week and for two weeks of the school holidays, you cannot work at all. On Saturdays, you can work up to five hours and two hours on a sunday.
If you're 15 or 16...
On school days you can work up to two hours a day, one hour before school and one hour after school. On Saturdays, you can work up to eight hours a day, but no more than 35 hours in a week and for two weeks in the school holiday, you cannot work at all.
Don't forget that if you want to get a full time job, you have to have left school first. If you are 16, you need to wait to leave school until the last Friday in June.
Important – Getting a permit
If you are under 16 you need to have a permit from your local authority and signed by your employer in order to work legally. You don't need a permit for work done for family and friends such as pet sitting, dog walking, gardening, cleaning, car washing or baby-sitting as these don't count as employment. Find out more on the Norfolk County Council Website
What you can do
- Think about the best ways to find a job. Shops, restaurants, supermarkets and hotels often employ young people.
- Ask around to see if there are any paper rounds available near you. You could also consider delivering leaflets.
- See if your family and friends have any pet sitting, dog walking, gardening, cleaning, car washing or baby-sitting that you could do for them. Remember these aren't classed as 'employment' so you wont need a permit.
- Make sure that if you do get a job you think about your personal safety when travelling to and from work. Is there reliable public transport or can an adult take you and pick you up?
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