If you have any questions about your employment rights, you can chat online to a trained Youth Information Officer or leave us a message and we can get back to you.
Your Working Day
If you are 14
- No work allowed during school term time.
- 35 hours light work during the school holidays (maximum) – or up to 40 hours, if approved work experience (e.g. TY).
- Breaks:
- 30 minute break after working 4 hours.
- 14 hours break in every 24 hours
- 2 days off in every 7
- Only permitted to work between 8.00am and 8.00pm on any day.
- must have at least 21 days off work during summer holidays
- Exception: In Film, cultural, advertising or sport (need a License)
If you are 15
- 8 hours a week light work in school term time.
- 35 hours working week (maximum) – or up to 40 hours if they are on approved work experience (e.g. TY).
- Breaks:
- 30 minutes after working 4 hours
- 14 hours break in every 24 hours
- 2 days off in every 7 days
- Only permitted to work between 8.00am and 8.00pm on any day.
- must have at least 21 days off during summer holidays
- Exception: In Film, cultural, advertising or sport (need a License)
If you are 16 or 17
- 40 hours working week (maximum)
- 8 hours a day (maximum).
- Breaks:
- 30 minute break after working 4½ hours.
- 2 days off in every 7 days.
- Only permitted to work between 6am and 10pm. (on night before a school day).
- You can work up to 11.00 p.m. on nights where you have no school the next day: in such instances they must not start work before 7.00 a.m. the next day.
- A special Code of Practice Concerning the Employment of Young Persons in Licensed Premises is in place governing employment of 16 and 17 years olds in the Licensed trade. This must be signed by the employer, You (the employee) and your parent/guardian.
Workplace Relations Commission have put together a great resource that can be downloaded here
Wages/Payment
Pay Package
All employees are entitled by law to a payslip. A payslip is essentially a statement in writing from the employer to the employee that outlines the total pay before tax and all details of any deductions from pay. You should find out information about the items your payslip should contain and how your tax is calculated here.
Minimum Wage
Since 1 January 2023, the national minimum wage is €11.30 per hour. But if you are under 18, you are only entitled up to €7.91 per hour (70% of the minimum wage). Some employers pay more than this.
Tips:
Tipping is relatively widespread in a number of services (restaurants, bars etc). A new law has been passed to protect tips and gratuities received by workers. Employers must clearly display their policy on how cash and card tips, gratuities and service charges are distributed. More information on Citizens Information