With the harvest season approaching, it’s timely to remind employers that Summerfruit NZ does not recommend employing students under 14 years. However, if you do employ students 14 years and under, please ensure you are following Youth Employment law.
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Paying employees under 16
There is no minimum wage for employees under 16 but all the other minimum standards and employment rights and obligations apply. When an employee turns 16, they must be paid the relevant minimum wage.
Employees under 15 years
An employee or contractor who is under 15 years cannot work:
- in any area where the work requires lifting heavy weight
- in any area where the work being done is likely to harm the employee
- with any machinery or assist work with any machinery.
- in any area where goods or hazardous substances are being manufactured
- on a construction site
- on a logging site e.g. a forest where trees are being cut down or processed.
These restrictions also apply to people under 15 years visiting the workplace. They don't apply if the employee works at all times in an office in that area, or in any part of that area used only for selling goods or services. They don't apply to visitors who are under direct adult supervision, on a guided tour or are in areas open to the public.