Most parents are keen for their children to find employment once they have left school,
and many are willing for their children to do casual work while they are still at school.
It is not unusual for children of compulsory school age to be involved in paid work at some point.
They may do this to earn pocket money or because they are interested in a particular
activity or career. Sometimes they work because the family needs help with the family
business or because it will add to the family income. Sometimes parents think it will help
their children be better prepared for work when they are older. Of course some young
people are in full time work before they are eighteen.
Whatever the age of your child it can be useful for you to be aware of what the law
says about children working and to think about other things that might affect your child
in paid work.
Note: It is important to check
the child labor law where you live.
THE RANGE OF JOBS
Children are employed in a surprising range of activities,
including:
- family businesses such as shops, canteens, markets, farms
- newspaper delivery
- collecting newspaper accounts
- letterboxing
- door to door selling (eg sweets)
- supermarkets and chain fast food shops
- 'outwork' (that is, work done outside of a factory setting, often in the home) for a
variety of industries including clothing
- service stations
- modelling
- performing arts (including film, television, theatre)
- other employment such as apprenticeships.
As well as these activities, children are often involved in doing paid 'light work'
such as baby-sitting, gardening and car washing for family, neighbours and friends.
DOOR TO DOOR SELLING
Children who are not properly supervised risk being assaulted, robbed or abused. For
this reason door to door selling should never be done without adult supervision, and
especially after dark.
If you are thinking about letting your child sell items (such as sweets) door to door,
be sure to ask these questions:
- how many hours will your child be expected to work?
- how much will your child get paid?
- how many breaks does your child get and for how long?
- will your child be supervised and if so how?
- how will your child get food and drink?
- where can your child go to the toilet?
- what will happen if your child gets ill while working?
- how far will your child be from home?
Is your child mature enough to deal with situations that she may come across outside of
her experience? Make a time to meet and talk with the supervisor.
HOME DELIVERY
If your child is involved in delivering newspapers or letterboxing it is important to
think about her safety. Ask the questions above as well as those listed below:
- Will your child be supervised and in what way?
- Does your child know the route?
- Is your child familiar with traffic safety rules?
- Is your child's bike safe and is the helmet in good condition? (the law says your child
must wear one).
CHILD ACTORS
Acting in movies, television, advertisements and on the stage might seem like fun, but
there is a lot of hard work involved. Children can spend long hours at work, often having
to wait for lengthy periods to do their part. Work outdoors in the heat or cold, or with
animals or special effects can all add up to a dangerous or an uncomfortable work
situation.
If your child is hired to act in film or television, a copy of the Film and Television
Industry's Safety Guidance Notes would be helpful. One chapter of this looks at special
safety considerations for children working in this industry.
CHILDREN ON FARMS
Children who live or work on farms - or even visit them - can be exposed to a great
number of risks. About a quarter of all fatal farm accidents involve children, while a
number of other children have been badly hurt. If your child is involved in farm work, or
lives on a farm, it's a good idea to get a copy of the guide Keep kids safe on the farm.
This guide gives a lot of detail about how to help keep your child safe.
CHILDREN UP TO 18
International standards related to the rights of workers aim to make sure that children
who work are not abused, and that they have the opportunity to grow up as children before
they become adult workers.
If you are a parent or employer of a child it is useful to consider the international
standards that recommend the following.
- The minimum age for admission to employment that might risk the health, safety or morals
of young people is not less than 18 years. However, such work may be permitted from 16
years if health, safety and morals are fully protected and if those concerned receive
adequate instruction or vocational training.
- Young people (14-16 years) can be employed on light work, providing it is not harmful to
health and development, and does not interfere with their attendance at school, or their
capacity to benefit from instruction received.
No absolute minimum age is required for:
- work in relation to artistic performances
- children employed in family undertakings provided the work is not harmful, prejudicial
or dangerous
- children who are pupils for vocational/technical education. Work done by children in
this manner is part of their education, and is under the supervision of educational
authorities. For work in industrial and other undertakings as part of vocational training,
international standards recommend 14 years as the minimum age.
Children should not be involved in dangerous work, or work that might be harmful to
their health or their physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
For children over 16 years work can be an educational and satisfying experience as well
as providing them with their own income. It can be the beginning of important learning
about:
- the value of money
- time management
- different rules
- getting on with others, and
- the expectations of people outside of school and family.
Children mature at different rates and ages and have different talents and levels of
enthusiasm. You need to take these things into account when deciding to allow your child
to be involved in paid work.
Ask yourself the following questions.
- Will this work harm my child's health or development?
- Will this work interfere with my child's education or her capacity to benefit from the
instruction provided?
- Will my child be safe?
- Does my child have the maturity to do this particular job?
- Will my child be paid fairly for work done?
- Does my child want to do this work?
- Am I satisfied that the child's employer or supervisor will treat my child fairly?
- Do I know about my child's rights at work or the laws to protect her?
It may be wise to agree with your child that there should be a 'trial period' so that
you can both measure the advantages and disadvantages.
Before your child begins make sure you are both clear and in agreement about what will
happen with the money. For instance, can she do what she likes with all the money or only
part? Does some have to be put aside for savings? Does she have to buy certain things with
it?
Each family will have different ways of dealing with this.
- It's important that you protect your child from being exploited.
- It is unlikely that your child will know about his rights at work, or the laws that are
in place to protect him. If you don't know, or you think your child isnt being
treated fairly, contact the Employee Ombudsman (see Resources).
FINDING A BALANCE
Children need time for play, exercise and rest. Don't let work prevent your child from
having the time and opportunity to enjoy being a child.
Make sure working hours are balanced with your child's educational, developmental and
recreational needs.
Don't let work become more important than school. Leaving school too soon, or not doing
well at school, can spoil your child's chances for good, steady employment later.
