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 2009-2011) start work on 10 June. 17-year-olds (born 2008) start at the end of May – beginning of June (varying by location).

• 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 13:00. 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 4th July and the second on 5th August. If anything is outstanding, it is due on 1st September.

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.

Á RSK website Information about personal allowance can be found.

Where should I go?

Normally, teenagers are placed in a group near schools, unless other preferences are stated on the application. The group leader will phone the week before work starts to let you know where to meet on the first day.

Is it possible to change group?

No changes are made to the groups during the first few days. After that, each group leader decides on any changes to their group. Most group leaders have two groups during the day and must ensure there is no imbalance in the group sizes. If a youth wishes to change group, a parent or guardian must contact the relevant group leader.

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.

• A foreman is a supervisor at a worksite. His next superior is a workshop manager.
• All staff are to be hard-working, punctual, honest and courteous.
• Sickness and other absences should be reported as soon as possible by telephone to the work experience coordinator or online to Vala at the work experience centre.
• The use of tobacco is prohibited. The same applies to alcohol, vapes and other drugs.
• Shopping 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.
• Staff are responsible for the cost if they commit vandalism on the property of the Work School or others.
• During coffee breaks, staff are expected to have a healthy and good lunch. Energy drinks and fizzy drinks are not permitted.
• The use of mobile phones is not permitted during working hours, unless otherwise authorised by the team leader.
• All staff must provide their own protective clothing and are responsible for their own clothes and belongings.

Breach of the Work School's rules

When problems arise, group leaders should speak to the member of staff concerned and contact their parents or guardians. The group leader should also inform the supervisors of the Work Club of the matter, without them becoming otherwise involved unless requested to do so. If the individual does not improve their behaviour, a further warning and a temporary suspension, usually for three days, will be issued. In rare cases, this is not sufficient, and the individual will then be dismissed from work for the remainder of the working period.

Problems are usually resolved before further action needs to be taken. Experience shows that cooperation between work school staff and parents is key to resolving matters.