Work school

What is the Work Club?

The Hafnarfjörður Summer Job Scheme offers summer employment to all 14-17-year-olds in Hafnarfjörður. Everyone who applies gets a job.

Why apply for a job at the Work School?

Participation in the Work Club is a great opportunity for teenagers to gain experience of earning a wage in a positive way. Teenagers get to tidy up and maintain their town, meet new friends and learn about environmental issues, interpersonal skills and respect for their work.

Who can apply for the work school?

All teenagers who are residents of Hafnarfjörður and will be aged 14–17 (born 2008-2011) during the year can apply for a job with the Work School. Young people who are ahead of their peers in primary school can start a year early at the Work School. However, they must still be at least 13 years old in accordance with Regulations on the employment of children and young persons.

How much has been achieved?

14, 15 and 16 year olds (born 2010-2012) start working on June 11. 17 year olds (2009) start working at the same time unless it is a job with a cooperative - then it is a matter of negotiation.

• 14-year-olds can work 71 hours
• 15-year-olds can work 92 hours.
• 16-year-olds can work 118 hours.
• 17-year-olds can work 193 hours. 

Is it a lunch break?

Yes, there is a lunch break between 12:00 and 12:30. In addition, there are two coffee breaks, one before lunch from 10:30 to 10:45 and one after lunch from 14:30 to 14:45.

• During coffee breaks, staff are expected to have a healthy and good lunch. Energy drinks and fizzy drinks are not permitted.

When are the wages paid?

The first payment is on July 8th and the second payment is on August 7th. If anything is unpaid, it will be paid on September 1st.

What is a pay period?

It is the period for which payment is made around the middle of each month.

At the Work School, the pay period is from the 20th to the 19th of each month. Therefore, work done from 20th May to 19th June is paid on the following payday (4th July).

Where do the wages go?

The payment is made into each teenager's bank account, so all bank details must be provided with the application. Only the teenager's own bank account can be used.

What is electronic personal allowance?

All people aged 16 and over receive a tax allowance which is called personal allowance. Everyone receives the same amount as a deduction, which is then deducted from the amount payable in tax. All teenagers over the age of 16 must send information to vinnuskoli.skattkort@hafnarfjordur.is on how to use the personal allowance. If the personal allowance is being used at another workplace, this must be stated, along with how the personal allowance is to be split.

On RSK website Information about personal allowance can be found.

Where should I go?

Usually, young people are grouped near schools – if you are assigned to a primary school, you will meet at the main entrance of the school on the first day of work. If you are assigned to another location, the meeting point for the first day of work will be stated in the approval email you receive from Vala.

Is it possible to change group?

No changes are made to groups during the first few days. All requests for changes can be sent to vinnuskoli@hafnarfjordur.is and the office will see if there is room for changes. Students are usually grouped with their peers from the same school, but it is not expected that friends will be grouped together. We believe that it is healthy for everyone to meet new people and work with people other than their closest friends.

What should you do if you get ill?

Guardians must report absences by telephone to the group leader or online via the Völu work school. If a teenager is absent from work for a day or part of a day without proper notification, the group leader or office staff will contact the guardian.

Is smoking allowed at work?

No. The Hafnarfjörður Work School is a tobacco-, vape- and drug-free workplace.

Rules of the Hafnarfjörður Summer Job Scheme

The rules of the Hafnarfjörður Work School apply during working hours and at social events organised by the school.

• Students follow the instructions of the instructor and show courtesy and consideration to colleagues and others at work.
• Students are punctual, honest and hardworking.
• Derogatory language, racism, threats and bullying are not tolerated at the Work School.
• Students should come to work dressed for the weather, with work gloves and a suitable lunch. Energy drinks are not permitted.
• Shopping and store trips are not permitted during working hours, nor are coffee breaks.
• Students are expected to conduct themselves in a neat and tidy manner at the workplace and to take good care of the equipment used.
• Students are responsible for the costs if they commit vandalism to the property of the Vocational School or others.
• Students are responsible for their own belongings during working hours.
• Cell phone use is prohibited without permission from the party leader.
• The vocational school is a tobacco-free workplace, this also applies to vapes and nicotine patches.

Breach of the Work School's rules

Hafnarfjörður Vocational School is a workplace that strives to provide young people with a safe environment to take their first steps in the job market. We therefore have rules and consequences if they are repeatedly broken.

First warning: We can all make mistakes, listen to the party leader and improve.

Second warning: The class teacher gives warning number two, if there is no change in behavior following this, the student will be sent home without pay.

Third warning: The student is sent home. The student is also sent home directly if they have alcohol or other prohibited substances in their possession during work hours, are violent, or make threats. Parents/guardians are always contacted every time a student is sent home during work hours.
If a student is sent home three times during their employment period, they will be immediately dismissed from their employment at Hafnarfjörður Vocational School.
Usually, all problems are resolved before expulsion is necessary, but experience shows that cooperation between the staff of the Vocational School and parents is key to resolving the issues.