Employment legislation for school pupils

The law on employment of young people still at school states you may work for a maximum of:

2 hours on school days
2 hours on Sundays
5 hours (if aged under 15) or 8 hours (if 15 or over) on Saturdays
8 hours on weekdays during school holidays, with an overall weekly limit of 25 hours (if under 15) or 35 hours (if 15 and over)

Young people may not work:

Before they are 13 years of age
For more than 1 hour before the start of school
During school hours
Before 7am or after 7pm
For more than 4 hours without a break of at least 1 hour
Without an employment card issued by a local authority
In any industrial work
Using certain equipment (e.g. circular meat slicer)
In any occupations banned by local byelaws - contact your local council offices (details on COSLA website)
In any occupation banned by other legislation (e.g. pubs or betting shops)
In any work that is likely to harm your health, safety or education

For further information contact:

Worksmart - TUC (Trades Union Congress) website designed for young people
Young Scot - Youth-related news and information

Disclaimer: UK employment law can change. For up-to-the-minute information check with your local council offices and the websites mentioned above.