how old before they can work.

[auntymandy]

DS has a paper round. I dont think it pays enough. when can he work in a restaurant or shop etc?

[chenin]

My DD started washing up in the local pub when she was 14 (and has been there for 3 years now) and now does food prep and waitressing. I don't think it is necessarily legal but as long as the landlord and parents are in agreement, you might be lucky

[QueenEagle]

I think due to the changes in H&S laws, 16 is now the minimum age for working in shops etc (legally that is).

How old is your ds (I'm guessing 13 or 14?) If so, I think you may have to be patient and wait a couple more years unless you can find an employer as helliebean suggested.

[zippitippitoes]

It's actually quite complicated, but a lot of employers even reputable ones flout the regulations

I know children who are employed in well known burger bar chains etc

But this is the law here

All the local Authority websites have information as they issue Work Permits

[auntymandy]

he will be 15 in Jan (I know I dont look olsd enough )

[biglips]

deffo 15, but poss they are only allowed to work at weekends and not in the week (so it doesnt affect his schoolwork)- i may be wrong

[auntymandy]

might suggest he walks down to local restaurant then

[zippitippitoes]

dd2 worked in the cafe concession run by masserella (sp) in a large department store starting at 15, although they weren't keen as they had to do more paperwork they took her as they were short staffed and there were no problems. A lot of places won't do it though.

[mumeeee]

I have just been trying to help my DD2 get a job. She will be 16 on Dec 9th and has already got her Nat insurance number. Every where we have tried has said they won't take them untill they are at least 16. DD1 had the same trouble when she was 15 and was not able to get a job untill she finished her GCSE's.

[auntymandy]

is this for full time work?
I remember a friend saying this to me. one of my boys is an August baby so wont be 16 till after he has left school (unless he stays on) think they take them from the end of the school term in this case,not sure though. But saturday/evening work is different I think.

[tallulah]

I've been through this with 3 of mine. No-one will take them until they reach Statutory school leaving age. As my boys are September-born they have to wait until they are almost 17 before they can get a Saturday job. Crazy.

Reading that link, Zippi, it says that they can only work 2 hours on a Sunday even at 16. No wonder Sainsburys won't take Ds2.

I worked from 14 and was out at full-time work at 16. My mum left school at 15 and her mum was full-time in a factory at 14. Surely teenagers haven't changed that much in 4 generations?

[zippitippitoes]

Unless policy has changed you will find Burger King will take them, also local pubs especially which serve food, restaurants, greengrocers, hairdressers, but pay will probably only be about 3.00 ph

Ds had a job at Halford's at 16 (packed it in grrr)