Employers are reminded that they should adhere to the law when hiring children of compulsory school age – 16 and under.
The 2001 Education Act limits the number of hours children can work, the jobs they can do and the rest breaks they are entitled to and specifies earliest start times and latest finish times.
The Child Employment Research Group at the University of the West of Scotland has carried out the first study of its kind on the Island to establish the nature and extent of children’s part-time work experience.
The study found 40 per cent of Year 10 and half of Year 11 pupils hold down part-time jobs in term-time.
Children hold a range of jobs beyond those stereotypically associated with them, including posts in the hotel and catering and retail sectors.
The study found some children work later in the evening than the law permits while others carry out jobs that raise health and safety concerns.
Interviews conducted with employers found that many were unaware of their responsibilities under the legislation. For example, workplaces hiring children are required to keep a register of their names, addresses, dates of birth, scheduled hours, actual hours worked, nature of the tasks carried out and pay. Few than half the employers the group spoke to were aware of this requirement.
Employers found breaking the law can be fined up to £5,000.
To assist employers, the Department of Education and Children has designated an existing member of staff to the role of child employment officer and has placed additional guidance on www.gov.im under ‘employment of children’.
Professor Jim McKechnie, one of the study’s authors, stated: ‘We should remember that having a part-time job can be a rewarding experience for a young person. However, we need to recognise that this group of employees are potentially vulnerable and it is necessary to ensure that they are provided with some degree of protection.
‘The level of awareness amongst employers regarding the legislation and their responsibilities as employers is a cause for concern but we hope that by increased education we can assist them to understand their responsibilities.’
The study was carried out free of charge by the university as part of a research project.
