Here are your rights if you are a young person in a job

It’s the summer holidays and many young people will be hoping to earn a couple of euro from a job over the break.

While youngsters aged 14 years and older are legally okay to work, there are certain rights and protections to ensure they are not being taken advantage of.

The number of hours you work, as well as the types of jobs you are allowed to do, is dependent on your age.

On starting your new job, you will be required to show your employer proof of age, such as your birth certificate or passport. Teenagers under 16 years old will also need written permission from a parent or guardian for their employer.

Your rights as a young person working are much the same as your fellow employees, however there are some extra protections such as maximum working hours, a ban on under 18s doing late-nigh work and specific rest periods.

14 and 15-year-olds looking to get their first job this summer cannot be employed on a full-time contract. They can do light work during the school breaks with at least 21 days off during this time period.

The maximum 14 and 15 year-olds can work outside of term time is 35 hours (or up to 40 if they are on approved work experience). During term time 14-year-olds cannot work, however 15-year-olds can do eight hours of light work weekly.

Those aged 16 and 17 can work up to eight hours daily or 40 hours per week — if you work more than one job the total hours worked must not exceed 40 hours per week.

You are only allowed to work between 6am to 10pm. In the case of being employed at a license premises such as a pub you are only legally allowed to do general duties, which does not include selling alcohol.

During term time, you can only work until 11pm on a day that is not immediately before school such as Friday (as you wouldn’t have school on a Saturday).

Earlier school leavers are required to inform Tusla of their decision to leave school early for a job. Tusla can aid with making arrangements for continuation of education and training.

Regardless of what age you are, you have a right to get a payslip, which is a written statement from the employer explaining your total pay before tax as well as all details of any deductions from your pay.

As of January 1, 2024, the minimum wage is €12.70 per hour. Workers under 18 are entitled to get up to 70% of this, which is €8.89 per hour.

Those in this category are protected by the Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996. Employers must give employees under 18 a copy of the summary of this act along with other details of their employment within one month of them being employed.