Working time rules for Young Workers

Whether you’re taking on a weekend retail assistant or onboarding an apprentice fresh out of school, it’s important for employers to understand the specific legal protections for young workers.

Young workers (those under 18) are subject to stricter working time limits than adult employees, with additional safeguards around breaks and rest periods. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know when employing someone under 18.

Young Workers Aged 16–17

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

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

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

Children Under 16

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

• Maximum hours:
  • Under 15: 5 hours per day / 25 hours per week
  • 15 and over: 8 hours per day / 35 hours per week
  • No more than 2 hours on a Sunday
• Permitted hours: Work must be between 7am and 7pm
• Breaks: At least 1 hour if working more than 4 hours

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

Top Tips for HR

• Monitor hours carefully – don’t assume part-time means 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

Speak to Jon Dunkley

Jon is a Partner at Wollens and can advise you. Contact Jon via email jon.dunkley@wollens.co.uk or call 01271 341021.

View Jon’s Profile

You can also complete an online enquiry form. One of the Wollens team will contact you as soon as they are available.