Pay, rights and working hours

You can start full time work of up to 40 hours a week when you have reached the minimum school leaving age. 

In Wales the minimum school leaving age is calculated like this:

• You can leave school on the last Friday of June, only if you are going to be 16 by the end of that school year’s summer holidays (Gov.uk)

Find out more about child employment and the official school leaving age on Gov.uk.

• You can work part time from the age of 13

The only exception to this is for children working in television, theatre and modelling. Anyone under 13 working in these 3 areas must have a performance licence. 

Find out more about child employment and working as a child performer on Gov.uk.

The National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage is the minimum hourly rate you would get depending on your age.

If you are over 23, you will get at least the National Living Wage. If you are under 23 but over the school-leaving age, you will get at least the National Minimum Wage.

You must be at least the school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage.

The rates change every April.

Take a look at National Minimum Wage rates on Gov.uk for more information.

MoneyHelper, from the Money and Pensions Service, can help you understand more about the money you earn. Take a look at Understanding your payslip to find out more.

I live in the UK

If you live in the UK you should be sent a National Insurance number automatically just before your 16th birthday. If you didn’t receive one, and you are under 20 call the helpline number. You can also use this number if you've lost your National Insurance number:

Monday to Friday 8am-6pm

Telephone:          0800 141 2075
Text phone:         0800 141 2438

Welsh Language:   0800 141 2349

I'm over 20 and don't have a National Insurance number

If you are over 20 and don’t have a National Insurance number apply by phoning the application line:

Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

Telephone:            0800 141 2075
Text phone:           0800 141 2438

Monday to Friday 8:30am to 6pm

Welsh Language:   0800 141 2349

How long does it take to get a National Insurance number?

When you phone the helpline number HM Revenue and Customs will not tell you your National Insurance number over the phone. They will post it to you. This usually takes 15 working days.

Find out more about national insurance number on Gov.uk.

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) can be contacted to discuss your employment rights or any issues you might be facing in your workplace.

Telephone:  0300 123 1100
Text phone: 180010300 1231100

Open Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm.

View the other ways to contact ACAS.

MoneyHelper, from the Money and Pensions Service, offers free and impartial money and employment advice.

NACRO are a national social justice charity who have advice and information about:

• Disclosing criminal records to employers
• How different sectors handle applications from people with a criminal record
• What information will be disclosed on the different kinds of DBS checks
• How to find out what is on your criminal record

Telephone: 0300 123 1999
Email:         helpline@nacro.org.uk

You have worker’s employment rights (Gov.uk) from the day you start work.

After 12 weeks in your job you will qualify for the same rights as people who are employed directly by the company.

Read more about your rights as an agency worker on Gov.uk.

If you are facing redundancy, there are organisations who can help you with your next steps. Take a look at Options after redundancy for further information about the support available.

MoneyHelper, from the Money and Pensions Service, can help you with creating a redundancy plan, which benefits you can claim and your legal rights. Find out more on MoneyHelper - Redundancy.

Your company's Human Resources Department can give you further information about the type of pension you have and the different options available to you if you are considering retirement.

Find out more about the State Pension on gov.uk.

MoneyHelper can offer you advice and guidance on different types of pension and retirement income options. Find out more on MoneyHelper - Pensions and Retirement