07.10.2022

CAN I WORK IF I AM NOT 18 YEARS OLD?

You must be 16 years of age to start working. The law prohibits the employment of persons under the age of 16.

Exceptionally, the admission of persons under 16 years of age is permitted only for certain types of work: - from 15 to 16 years of age to perform work that is light (does not require significant physical effort), is not dangerous or harmful to health and the proper physical, mental and moral development and the fulfillment of which will not prevent you from attending regular school or participating in vocational guidance or training programs.

Girls over 14 and boys over 13 can be accepted for apprentice positions in circuses; in the field of arts, persons under the age of 15 may also be employed - for participation in filming, preparation and presentation of theatrical and other performances they may, but they must be provided with reduced conditions and compliance with the requirements for their proper physical, mental and moral development. If you are 14 but not yet 15, you can sign your employment contract yourself, with the prior written consent of your parent or guardian attached to it. If you are under 14, then the employment contract is concluded by your parent or guardian.

There are jobs for which you must be 18 years old. It is forbidden to hire persons under 18 years of age for heavy, harmful and dangerous work. It is prohibited for minors to work that is:

• beyond their physical or mental capabilities;
• related to exposure to harmful physical, biological or chemical effects, especially to toxic agents, carcinogens, agents causing hereditary genetic or intrauterine damage; -related to harmful effects that in any other way have a permanent adverse effect on health;
• in conditions of radiation;
• at extremely low or high temperatures, noise or vibrations;
• related to the risk of occupational accidents which it is assumed cannot be realized or avoided by the minor due to his physical or mental immaturity.

For persons under the age of 18, a reduced working time of 35 hours a week and 7 hours a day in a five-day work week has been established (for comparison - the normal duration is 40 hours a week and 8 hours a day).

Workers and employees under the age of 18 have the right to extended basic paid annual leave in the amount of no less than 26 working days, including for the calendar year in which they turn 18 (for comparison - in general, the minimum amount of the basic regular paid annual leave is 20 working days).