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Work rights
Know your rights when it comes to hours and pay.
If you work part-time, have a summer job or are already in full-time employment it's important that you know your rights when it comes to hours and pay. It might be great making cash but it's not so hot if you're being treated as slave labour, being overworked or not getting all the money you should!
Get to know your rights and speak out if you think you're not being treated properly. All the stuff you need to know is in the Protection of Young Persons Act 1996 (ROI).
So, what is the Protection of Young Persons Act 1996 all about?
This important act is there to make sure that work carried out during school years doesn't put young people's education at risk.
What age group does it apply to?
The Act generally applies to employees under 18. It means that employers (the people you work for) should not employ young people under 16 in regular full-time jobs.
When can I work if I'm under 16 years of age?
- If you are aged 14 or over you can work during the summer holidays for no more that 7 hours a day or 35 hours a week.
- If you are over 15 but under 16, you may work up to 8 hours a week during the school year.
- As part of an approved work or educational experience.
- If you happen to be a rising teen star in film or advertising, you can get a special licence issued by the Government.
Maximum working week for young people under 16:
| Age | 14 | 15 |
| School term time | Zero hours | 8 hours |
| Approved work experience | 40 hours | 40 hours |
What about summer holidays?
Young people under 16 must have at least 21 days off work during the summer holidays to relax and chill out before school comes round again.
Some of the Rights and Obligations under ‘The Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 1996 (ROI):
16 and 17 year old workers:
- Are entitled to a 30 minute break after working for 4.5 hours.
- Cannot legally be asked to work after 11 pm.
- Should have two days off every 7 days.
- Cannot legally be asked to work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours a week.
Workers under 16 years old:
- Are entitled to a 30 minute break after four hours working.
- Cannot be asked to work after 8pm.
- Should have 2 days off every 7 days.
- Cannot be asked to work more than 35 hours a week.
All employers of people under 18:
- Should display a poster detailing the rights of young people in the workplace.
- Must keep a register of each person employed: full name, date of birth, time work begins and finishes each day, wage rates and the total amount of wage paid to each person.
What are the rules if I have more than one part time job?
If you are under 18 and working for more than one employer, your combined daily or weekly hours worked should not exceed the maximum number of hours allowed.
What about wages?
- The minimum wage for an experienced adult is currently €8.65 an hour. An experienced adult is an employee who has an employment of any kind in any two years over the age of 18.
- An employee who is under 18 must be paid at least €6.06 per hour.
- An employee who is in the first year of employment since the age of 18 is entitled to €6.92 per hour.
- An employee who is in the second year of employment since the date of first employment over the age of 18 is entitled to €7.79 per hour.
Check out www.niyouthinfo.org for work rights in Northern Ireland.
Ireland's website for employments rights info is now online at: www.employmentrights.ie/
Information on your rights and entitlements can be found here. The National Employment Rights Authority was established in 2008. It aims to get employers to comply with employment rights legislation through information, inspection, enforcement, prosecution and protection of young persons.
