Young Workers – 7 legal requirements you need to know

Young workers (those under 18) are subject to stricter working time limits than adult employees, with additional safeguards around breaks and rest periods. So, whether you’re taking on a weekend retail assistant or onboarding an apprentice fresh out of school, it’s important for you to understand the specific legal protections for the young workers you employ.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know when employing someone under 18.

Legal requirements for young workers aged 16–17

If an employee is aged 16 or 17, the following rules apply:

1. Maximum working hours
   • 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week
2. Breaks
   • At least 30 minutes if working more than 4.5 hours
3. Daily rest
   • 12 hours’ rest between shifts
4. Weekly rest
   • 48 consecutive hours’ rest each week

These limits apply regardless of the type of contract and can’t be averaged out over multiple weeks.

Legal requirements for children under 16

If the employee is under school leaving age (usually 16), the rules are even tighter.

5. Maximum hours
   • Employees under 15 can work a maximum of 5 hours per day / 25 hours per week
   • For employees 15 and over, the limit is 8 hours per day / 35 hours per week
   • No more than 2 hours on a Sunday
6. Permitted hours
   • Work hours must be between 7am and 7pm
7. Breaks
   • Should be at least 1 hour, if working more than 4 hours

Note: Children under 16 also require an employment permit from their local authority and can’t be employed in certain types of work.

Top tips for employers and HR professionals

• Monitor hours carefully – don’t assume that your part–time hours will be compliant.
• Use clear rotas and records to track working time.
• Train line managers on the specific rules for young employees.
• Review contracts and policies to ensure they reflect these legal limits.

Further reading

Pay and hours guidance for young workers – ACAS

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