Holiday jobs for students: They are really allowed to do that and they are not allowed to do that!

Holiday jobs for students: They are really allowed to do that and they are not allowed to do that!

Brandenburg students are looking forward to the summer holidays: The holidays start this week with six relaxing weeks for many young people. The season not only offers time to relax, but also the opportunity to earn a little pocket money. But there are a few things to consider when it comes to summer jobs, especially for younger employees.

Young people aged 15 and over are allowed to work a maximum of four weeks during school holidays - that's a total of 20 working days in a five-day week. In doing so, they must take into account the legal requirements of the Youth Employment Protection Act. This not only affects the duration of the work, but also the type of activities that can be undertaken. There are different rules for students under and over 15 years old. From the age of 13, young people can, with parental consent, do light jobs, such as delivering newspapers or giving tutoring. But what exactly are “light activities”? This includes, for example, filling shelves, but the work must always be suitable and harmless.

Legal framework

Occupational Safety and Health Minister Britta Müller emphasizes the importance of occupational safety in holiday jobs. This includes, among other things, the obligation to inform young people about accidents and health risks. Working hours are subject to strict rules: young people aged 15 and over are allowed to work up to 8 hours a day and a maximum of 40 hours a week, although the full four weeks may not be exceeded. In addition, at least a rest period of 12 hours is required between two working days.

• Arbeitszeiten: 6:00 bis 20:00 Uhr; Ausnahmen gelten für das Gaststättengewerbe und die Landwirtschaft.
• Wochenendarbeit ist grundsätzlich untersagt, es sei denn, es handelt sich um bestimmte Ausnahmen.
• Jugendliche haben Anspruch auf Mindestlohn.

For younger students, who are between 13 and 15 years old, they are allowed to work a maximum of two hours a day with parental consent, and in agriculture even up to three hours. It is important to monitor working conditions to ensure that no dangerous work occurs. Work that endangers safety and health, for example in manufacturing industries or on construction sites, is expressly prohibited.

Tax benefits and insurance coverage

A holiday job can be financially worthwhile: up to 538 euros per month can be earned tax-free and without any deductions. Holiday jobbers are also legally insured against accidents, which applies not only to their activities but also on the way to work. It is therefore advisable to ask your employer about insurance coverage at the start of your employment relationship to be on the safe side.

In summary, it is a great way for teenagers to gain new experiences and earn some money at the same time. But parents, employers and young people must ensure that the legal framework is adhered to. Further information about holiday jobs is easily available on the websites mgs Brandenburg and Arbeitsagentur. find.