With summer vacation almost upon us, the provincial government has issued some reminders about the rules related to employing children under 16.
In a release from the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, the province said restrictions for children under 16 are in place to ensure their safety and well-being.
Under the Employment Standards Act, any child under 16 is allowed to work a maximum of six hours per day.
While school is in session, that number falls to a maximum of three hours a day on school days. They’re also not allowed to spend more than eight hours of the same day attending school and working.
Children under 16 are not allowed to work overnight, between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The rules are even tougher for children under 14.
They’re not permitted to work in the following industries:
- forestry
- construction
- any industrial undertaking
- automotive service
- hospitality (hotel or restaurant)
- theatre or dance hall
The act does allow for anyone under 16 to work outside of these rules, but only if the job is deemed safe and the child’s guardian agrees.
Employers who want an exemption to the rules have to get a permit and apply for authorization from the department’s employment standards branch.
