A young person or worker is defined as a person over the school leaving age but less than 18 years old. A child is defined as being under school leaving age.
The maximum number of hours is limited to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. No averaging is allowed and hours worked for other employers must be taken into account. There are limited circumstances under which these hours may be exceeded.
No night time working is allowed between 10pm and 6am, however, if the worker's contract requires work to be performed after 10 pm, it is permissible for work to be continued up to 11pm with no work before 7am. There are, again, limited circumstances under which the night time working hours may be altered.
When signing an employment contract or apprenticeship agreement a child or young person is not classed as a minor (under 18) and, provided it is freely entered into, once signed is binding and enforceable in law.
