Pay & working conditions

You’ll need to find jobs that suit your lifestyle and give you the hours you want. And how far do you want to travel and what kind of salary are you looking for?

What pay and conditions are you looking for?

The Job Profiles section of the Next Step website will give you more details about specific career routes.

If your school has access to Careerscape or another careers computer program, you can use that to find out more information about the sort of career or job you are interested in.

Still at School?

If you are still at school you may only be able to work a certain number of hours a week, and the range of jobs available may not be as comprehensive as when you reach 16.

Working Hours

14 year olds
There are a lot of rules that control working hours of children, but the basic ones are:

• during term time, you can only work for two hours on weekdays and Sundays

• during term time, you can only work for five hours on Saturdays

• during a school holiday, you can work for up to five hours on a week day or a Saturday

• during school holidays, you can’t work for more than two hours on a Sunday

• you cannot work before 7.00 am or after 7.00 pm on any day

15 and 16 year olds
If you’re 15 or 16 and are working while you’re still at school, your rights are almost identical to those of 14 year olds. However, you are allowed to work for up to eight hours on Saturdays or during the school holidays.

16 and 17 year olds
If you’re no longer at school and you’re 16 or 17, the law refers to you as a ‘young worker’. Because you will no longer be at school, there are fewer restrictions on when you can work and for how long, but there are still some rules.

Basic Entitlement

All employers should provice you with:
- a payslip
- a safe workplace
- a written copy of your terms of employment
- the right to be paid at least the minimum wage

Current Minimum Wage

There are four levels of minimum wage:

£6.08 per hour for workers aged 21 years and older

A rate of £4.98 per hour for workers aged 18-20 inclusive

£3.68 per hour for all workers above school leaving age but under 18

The Apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship will increase to £2.60

*Please note. The rates above will take effect in October 2011

The minimum wage and the other things you can expect from your employer are known as your Statutory Rights and they are protected by law.

View a complete list of your Employment Rights on the Citizens Advice Bureau website.