What is a parental consent to employment?
Hiring a teenager usually means getting a parent's agreement, and sometimes a work permit too. Parents want to know who their child will work for, what they'll do, when they'll finish on a school night and how they'll get home. Employers want that in writing, with the parent's phone number, before the first shift.
This template records the young worker, their school, the parent's contact details, the employer, workplace and supervisor. It sets out the role, the main duties, the type of job (school-year, holiday or summer), pay and start date. It records usual hours, an optional limit on hours in a school week and the latest finish on a school night, and confirms no work in school hours and that school comes first. Transport, permit status and permit details are recorded, with a clear note that child labour rules differ by place and that the form doesn't replace any permit the law requires. The parent can withdraw consent in writing.
- Best for
- Shops, cafés, restaurants, farms, cinemas and summer employers
- Signed by
- The parent or guardian and the employer
- Permits
- Records whether one is needed, pending or obtained
- Length
- 2 pages
When to use a parental consent to employment
- A 15-year-old's first weekend job at a café
- Summer jobs at a camp, pool or farm
- Holiday-season retail work
- Weekend work at a family-run shop or garden centre
- Employers that need a parent's signature alongside a school-issued work permit
What you fill in
20 blanks, then the name and email of each person who signs: parent or guardian, employer.
1 The employer
- Employer*
- Workplace address*
- Supervisor (name and phone)*
2 The young worker
- Young worker's full name*
- Young worker's date of birth*
- School attended
3 The parent or guardian
- Parent or guardian's full name*
- Parent or guardian's phone*
- Parent or guardian's email
4 The job
- Job title*
- Main duties*
- Type of job* a part-time job during the school year · a job during school holidays only · a summer job · a part-time job during the school year and holidays
- Start date*
5 Hours
- Usual days and hours*
- Most hours in a school week
- Latest finish time on a school night
- Pay*
- Getting to and from work* The parent or guardian is responsible for the young worker's travel to and from work. · The young worker will travel on their own by public transport, walking or cycling, and the parent or guardian agrees to this. · The employer will arrange transport home after shifts ending after dark.
6 Permits
- Work permit or registration* No permit or registration is needed for this job where it is done, as far as the employer is aware. · A work permit, age certificate or registration is needed, and will be obtained before the young worker starts. · A work permit, age certificate or registration has already been obtained.
- Permit details (if any)
7 Who signs
- Parent or guardian signature and date · The young worker's parent or legal guardian.
- Employer signature and date, job title · The manager or owner hiring the young worker.
What the parental consent to employment covers
- The job
- Hours and school
- Transport
- Work permits and the law
- Contact and safety
- Withdrawing consent
Using the parental consent to employment, step by step
1 Describe the job
Your business name fills in. Add the workplace, supervisor, role, duties, type of job, start date and pay.
2 Set the hours
Write the usual schedule and, where relevant, the most hours in a school week and the latest school-night finish.
3 Permits and transport
Record whether a permit is needed or already obtained, and how the young worker gets to and from work.
4 Parent signs
Send it to the parent. They add their contact details and sign, you countersign, and it's filed in your FileIt vault.
Tips before you send it
- Check the minimum age, permitted hours and banned tasks for young workers where the job is done, before you offer the job.
- Some places require a permit or certificate from the school or a government office. Don't let the young worker start until it's in hand.
- List equipment the young worker must not use in the duties, so supervisors know.
- Keep this form with the employee's other employment records.
Sign it online in minutes
- Fill in the blanks. Names, dates and amounts go straight into the agreement — the preview shows exactly where.
- Name who signs. Tick “This is me” for your own part. FileIt builds the PDF with every signature, date box on the right line, and you can check or move anything before sending.
- Send it. Each signer gets a secure link and signs from any device — no account needed. The signed PDF, with an audit trail and a Certificate of Completion, is filed in your vault and emailed to everyone.
Parental consent to employment: frequently asked questions
Is this a work permit?
No. It records the parent's consent and whether a permit is needed. Where a permit is required, it has to be obtained separately.
Does it set legal hour limits?
No, because they differ by place and age. You enter the agreed limits and the form says the employer will follow any lower limits the law sets.
Can the parent withdraw consent?
Yes, in writing. The young worker is still paid for all hours worked.
Is this the employment contract?
No. Use it alongside your offer letter or employment agreement.