Supplement pocket money

Delivering newspapers, stocking up on goods, waiting tables in restaurants: many young people use their free time to supplement their pocket money with a student job or to save for a major purchase. Whether it's a regular job alongside school or just during the vacations, there are a few things to keep in mind. In particular, the part-time job should not distract from schooling. In terms of physical health, young people who are required to attend school full-time are under special protection until their 18th birthday.

Whoever wants to earn extra money should first consider whether the school requirements leave enough room for a part-time job. If nothing stands in the way of this, the next step is to start looking for a suitable job. Student jobs are often listed in the classifieds section of the newspaper. There are also Internet portals specifically for student jobs.

Among the popular student jobs are:

• Babysitting
• Shopping help / gardening or walking dogs / pets care in the neighborhood
• In the supermarket to stock shelves
• Deliver newspapers
• Giving tutoring
• Exercise leader in sports or supervisor of youth camps
• Light commercial activities in companies or office work in the local area
• Also on the Internet, the pocket money can be supplemented with participation in onlineSurveys, the address research and the like.

Alternatively, there is the possibility of looking for a vacation job in which money can be earned over several weeks at a time, but may be worked a total of only 20 days a year and a maximum of 5 days per week. The search begins ideally already 2 to 3 months before the vacations.

Youth Employment Protection Act: What rules are to be observed for teenagers?

The employment of children and adolescents is particularly protected via the Youth Employment Protection Act. There is - graduated by age - clearly regulated, which conditions are to be observed in a student or vacation job.

Youth is, who is 15, but not yet 18 years old. The regulations applicable to children apply to young people who are required to attend school full-time. Child within the meaning of the Youth Employment Protection Act is anyone who is not yet 15 years old.

Learn more about the most important regulations that apply between the 16th and 18th birthday here:

• Young people between 16 and 18 years may work a maximum of eight hours a day.
• The working hours may not exceed 40 hours per week.
• The working hours must be between 6 and 20 o'clock. There is, among other things, the following legally regulated exception: all over 16 years, who jobbing in the restaurant industry, may work until 10 pm, in multi-shift operations even until 11 pm.
• When working more than 4.5 hours, a total break time of 30 minutes must be guaranteed. If more than 6 hours is worked, the breaks are a total of at least 60 minutes. No break may be shorter than 15 minutes.
• On Saturdays and Sundays, a general ban on employment applies. However, there are exceptions, including: Employment in hospitals and nursing homes, in open sales outlets such as bakery, supermarket, kiosk and the like, in the catering industry, sports and repair stores are possible. At least two Saturdays should remain free of work and two Sundays must remain free of work. If young people are allowed to work on weekends or holidays as an exception if the legal requirements are met, they are entitled to another day off in the same week.
• The activity should correspond to the physical and mental abilities of young people.
• The regular handling of heavy loads is prohibited. Unfavorable postures at work, which can harm health, are also not allowed. Also inadmissible are assembly line and piecework.
• Youths may only work in areas that are not dangerous. Excluded are thus all activities that are associated with accident hazards or that have to do with noise, hazardous substances and exceptional heat or cold. Also excluded are activities that involve moral hazards.
• Important: The parents or guardians must expressly agree to employment!

Violations of employers against the Youth Employment Protection Act are considered an administrative offense. They can also be prosecuted as a criminal offense in serious cases.

Does the minimum wage apply to student jobs?

This is probably the most frequently asked question regarding payment. The answer is: No. The statutory minimum wage does not apply to student jobs. So the employer can also pay less. The wage is usually based on the age and responsibility associated with the job. Experience shows that it ranges from 8 and 10 to 12 and 15 euros, with regional fluctuations. The payment is ultimately also a matter of negotiation here.

What is to be considered fiscally in the side job?

Pupils and students who jobbing on the side, are fiscally considered employees or employees. Depending on how high the salary is, taxes and social security contributions may be due. If the additional income is below certain limits, or if the vacation job is taxed at a flat rate by the employer, for example as a mini-job, the student job remains tax-free in most cases. But even if taxes are deducted first, the contributions paid can usually be reclaimed by filing a tax return.