Advice for Parents on Child Employment

General Information

• Always ensure that if your child works they are in possession of a work permit - if your child does not have a work permit then they are illegally employed and is not covered by the employers insurance
• Always ask to see a copy of the risk assessment so that you are fully aware of the duties your child will be undertaking to ensure that your child's safety and welfare have been considered
• If your child is asked to work hours in excess of those agreed, notify the Child Employment Office  - remember your child will not be insured if he/she works outside of the times granted by the Child Employment Office
• If you feel your child is carrying out duties outside of those agreed or you have concerns about their safety or welfare at the place of employment, then notify the Child Employment Office
• As the parent/carer you should ensure that your child does not work without a work permit and if the Child Employment Office notifies you that the work permit has been revoked, you will be informed of the reason. if you allow your child to carry on working without the permit, both you and the employer will be help responsible
• If your child fails to attend school on a regular basis a work permit will not be issued and your child will be unable to undertake part-time work

Permitted Types of Employment

• Delivering newspapers/leaflets (but no child must collect money)
• Shop assistant
• Waitering in a café/restaurant (subject to certain conditions)
• Office Clerical work (provided not within the confines of a factory)
• Shampooing, sweeping up in a hairdressers

Prohibited Types of Employment

• In a commercial kitchen (fish and chip shop)
• In a factory
• Delivering Milk
• Telephone Sales
• Preparation of Food
• In the personal care of residents of any residential care or nursing home
• The sale of intoxicating liquor, medicines, etc.
• A fairground or similar place of public amusement
• Collecting or sorting of rags or refuse
• Cleaning windows more then 3 meters above the ground
• Work involving exposure to adult material (video shop)
• Any work which may be described as dangerous