What Is The Legal Age To Work In Nz

The legal age to work in New Zealand is 16 years old. This applies to any type of employment, including part-time, full-time, casual and seasonal jobs. The only exception to this rule is if someone is under 16 and employed in a job which does not require a permit from the Department of Labour. In these cases, the employer must obtain written parental permission for the employee.The legal age to work in New Zealand is 16 years old.

Employment Rights in NZ for Under 18s

Employment rights in New Zealand are slightly different for those under 18 years of age. Generally, the same employment law protections apply to youths and adults, but there are some exceptions. These include restrictions on the hours they can work, the types of work they can do, and the wages they must receive. In addition, employers must ensure that any job performed by an employee under 18 is deemed to be safe and appropriate for their age.

For those under 16 years old, parental consent is required before they can start working. Before granting permission, parents or guardians should make sure that any job does not conflict with their child’s studies or interfere with their obligations at school.

Employees under 18 cannot work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week when school is in session. During school holidays, their working hours may be extended up to 10 hours a day and 50 hours a week if necessary. They also cannot work between 10 pm and 7 am unless special permission is granted by Labour Inspectors from the Department of Labour.

For employees between 13-15 years old, there are additional restrictions on the type of work they can do. This includes anything that requires them to operate machinery or heavy equipment such as forklifts or construction equipment; driving motor vehicles; working with poisonous substances; engaging in hazardous manual labour activities; working in licensed premises; or being exposed to an undue risk of physical harm or psychological harm.

The minimum wage for those under 18 years old is $13 per hour – slightly lower than the adult minimum wage rate of $16 per hour – but they should still receive the same entitlements as all other employees including holiday pay, sick leave payments and bereavement leave entitlements.

Legal Requirements for Employing a Minor in NZ

In New Zealand, employers must comply with laws governing the employment of minors. These laws set out specific requirements for adults who employ a minor. The legal requirements to employ a minor in New Zealand include:

• Minors must be at least 14 years old to work in most industries and all employers of minors must get an exemption from the Employment Relations Authority before hiring someone who is under 16.

• Employers are required to provide a safe working environment for their employees, including minors. This includes ensuring any equipment used by minors is appropriate for their age and ability and that there is adequate supervision.

• The minimum wage for minors is lower than the minimum wage for adults. The rate depends on the type of work being done, but generally it is between 80-90% of the adult minimum wage.

• Minors have additional leave entitlements to adults, including additional annual leave as well as special holidays such as Easter Monday and Labour Day.

• Minors are entitled to extra breaks during their working day compared to adult employees, including two 15-minute breaks after every four hours worked and one 30-minute break after every five hours worked. These breaks must be paid or unpaid depending on the type of work they are doing and should be taken away from their work area where possible.

• An employer must keep accurate records of any minor they employ, including details such as hours worked, pay rate and any deductions from wages. This information should be kept on file for at least seven years after the minor’s employment ends.

Employers must comply with these legal requirements when employing minors or they may face penalties from government regulators or civil action by the young employee or their parent/guardian. It’s important that employers understand these laws before taking on young workers so they can ensure everyone’s rights are respected and protected under New Zealand law.