How many hours can a 16 year old work?

For 15 or 16 year olds who are still in school, the rules are that during term time, you can only work for two hours on weekdays and Sundays; during term time, you can only work for five hours on Saturdays; during a school holiday, you can work for up to eight hours on a week day or a Saturday; during a school holiday, you can't work for more than two hours on a Sunday and you cannot work before 7.00 am or after 7.00 pm on any day. For 16 and 17 year olds who are no longer at school, there are fewer restrictions on when they can work and for how long, but there are still some rules. The law refers to them as young workers. Because they have reached school leaving age, employers may be more willing to offer them part-time or full-time employment. They are not limited to just 'light work', so they are allowed to work in places like a busy shop, restaurant kitchen or as waiters or waitresses.