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In France, what's the maximum age limit?

For adolescents aged 14, 15, and 16 in France, you might find work opportunities with approved permits, given certain conditions. Discover the workplaces and contract types this age group can secure, as well as reasonable salary expectations. This article sheds light on the employment...

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Working Opportunities for Minors in France: Exploring Job Options, Contract Types, and Fair...
Working Opportunities for Minors in France: Exploring Job Options, Contract Types, and Fair Compensation for Ages 14, 15, and 16. An Overview of Employment Rights for Adolescents in France, Including Permitted Age Brackets, Conditions for Underage Workers, and Available Contracts. Insights into the Wage Standards and Job Sectors Accessible to Minors.

In France, what's the maximum age limit?

In France, regulations govern the employment of minors to ensure their protection while enabling them to acquire work experience. Here are the essential aspects for minors aged 14, 15, and 16.

Employment Criteria for Minors Aged Under 14

Minors under the age of 14 can work, given they receive the necessary permissions and meet specific conditions. Parental consent and clearance from the labor inspection are required.

A request for authorization must be submitted to the labor inspection at least 15 days prior to the start of the contract, detailing the hiring date, contract duration, work conditions, hours, and remuneration.

Work Opportunities for Minors Aged 14 to 16

Minors aged 14 to 16 can work during their school holidays and under the conditions below:

  1. Holidays should last a minimum of 14 days for 14-year-olds and 7 days for those who are 15.
  2. The young employees should enjoy a continuous rest period that lasts at least half the total length of their holidays.

The employment contract for minors aged 14 or older is necessarily of a limited duration. It can take the form of a fixed-term contract, a seasonal job, or a temporary employment contract. Summer jobs are also an option for this age group.

Employment Possibilities for Minors Aged 15

Employment for 15-year-olds is restricted in sectors posing physical or moral risks, such as those involving dangerous heights, contact with animals, harmful substances, extreme temperatures, or hazardous conditions.

Young workers aged 15 are allowed to sign any type of employment contract, including a permanent contract or a seasonal one. However, they should not work between 20:00 and 6:00.

Work Opportunities for Minors Aged 16

At 16, minors can work in most roles, excluding those with significant risks to health or safety. They can find job offers on the government website 1jeune1solution, and their work hours are subject to some restrictions during school hours.

The salary for minors aged 14 to 16 should be at least 80% of the minimum wage (Smic), and 90% for those aged 17 to 18. After six months of professional experience in a specific field, the reduced salary ends.

Young people under 26, pursuing studies or having school breaks, are exempt from taxation on summer job earnings up to three times the monthly Smic amount.

  1. Minors under 14 in France can work, but with parental consent and clearance from the labor inspection, which requires a 15-day advance notice for approval of the employment contract, outlining details such as hiring date, contract duration, work conditions, hours, and remuneration.
  2. For minors aged 14 to 16 during their school holidays, there must be a minimum length of 14 days for 14-year-olds and 7 days for 15-year-olds, with a continuous rest period that lasts at least half the total length of their holidays.
  3. Minors aged 14 or older can have employment contracts of a limited duration, like fixed-term contracts, seasonal jobs, temporary employment contracts, or summer jobs.
  4. Employment for 15-year-olds is restricted in risky sectors, such as those involving dangerous heights, contact with animals, harmful substances, extreme temperatures, or hazardous conditions.
  5. At 15, young workers may sign any type of employment contract; however, they should not work between 20:00 and 6:00.
  6. At 16, minors can work in most roles, excluding those with significant risks to health or safety, and they can find job offers on the government website 1jeune1solution.
  7. The salary for minors aged 14 to 16 should be at least 80% of the minimum wage (Smic), with the reduced salary ending after six months of professional experience in a specific field. Additionally, young people under 26, pursuing studies or having school breaks, are exempt from taxation on summer job earnings up to three times the monthly Smic amount. While a minor employee cannot search for or garner employment in the fields of lifestyle (fashion-and-beauty, personal-growth, shopping), food-and-drink, home-and-garden, pets, relationships, travel, cars, career-development, learning, skills-training directly with these businesses, they can still benefit from these aspects through their earnings. They can, for instance, purchase fashion items online, travel to new places during their holidays, or further their education through self-development resources and books.

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