| “A
young person, of 16 and under, who intends to work must obtain
a permit. Application forms for permits can be obtained from
the Education Welfare Service at your local education &
library board, for the Cookstown area this will be the Southern
Board – contact telephone number for education welfare
is 37 512386. The permit will detail the employer, the hours
the young person works and the type of job; this is then kept
on a register.”
Some common rules include young people at school are not allowed
to work before 7am, after 7pm, for more than 2 hours in total
on a school day or Sunday, for more than 7 hours on a Saturday
(5 hrs for young people under age 15), on building sites or
other dangerous places, in licensed premises, lifting heavy
weights, in kitchens or in cinemas. You do not usually need
a permit to do occasional jobs such as car washing or gardening
for friends, provided it is not a business. The same applies
to occasional babysitting however it is best not to baby-sit
until you are 16, as you may still be regarded as a child.
The SELB spokesperson added “The Southern Board have
produced a leaflet for young people and parents, which details
the most frequently asked questions regarding employment for
those 16 and under. This can be obtained from the education
welfare office. Each year, during September and October, a
copy of the leaflet is sent to all Year 12 students in the
Southern Education & Library Board area.”
There are other statutory obligations regarding employment
of young people age 16 and under, such as insurance and health
and safety issues. Please contact the Southern Education &
Library Board’s education welfare office for further
information. . |
