Job Labor Laws
Before Young Jobs can help you become a member of the workforce,
there are legal statutes that you must comply with. The Child
Labor Laws listed below define restrictions placed on the age
and employment of minors.
Child Labor Law: Job Restrictions
18 Years of Age
Once a youth reaches 18 years of age, he or she is no longer
subject to the federal youth employment and child labor law
provisions.
16 and 17 Years of Age
Sixteen- and 17-year-olds may be employed for unlimited hours in
any occupation other than those declared hazardous by the
Secretary of Labor. Examples of equipment declared hazardous in
food service establishments include power-driven meat processing
machines (meat slicers, saws, patty forming machines, grinders,
or choppers), commercial mixers and certain power-driven bakery
machines.
14 and 15 Years of Age
During the school year, hours are limited to 3 hours a day and
18 hours a week. On days when there's no school and in the
summer, working hours increase to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a
week. There are limits on when children can work, too - no later
than 7 p.m. during the school year and no later than 9 p.m.
between June 1 and Labor Day. Fourteen- and 15- year-olds may be
employed in restaurants and quick-service establishments outside
school hours in a variety of jobs for limited periods of time
and under specified conditions.
Jobs Exempt from Child Labor Law Regulations
In general, children of any age are permitted to work for
businesses entirely owned by their parents, except those under
16 may not be employed in mining or manufacturing and no one
under 18 may be employed in any occupation the Secretary of
Labor has declared to be hazardous.
Minors employed in the delivery of newspapers to consumers are
exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) child labor
provisions, as well as the wage and hours provisions.
Children employed as actors or performers in motion pictures or
theatrical productions, or in radio or television productions
are exempt from Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) coverage.
Therefore, FLSA rules regarding total allowable number of work
hours in one day and allowable times of day to work do not apply.
There are other exemptions, including making evergreen wreaths
at home, so check the DOL Exemptions from Child Labor Law Rules
for the full list.
Child Labor Regulation Changes
Effective in February, 2005, new child labor regulations expand
protections for youth working in restaurant cooking, roofing,
and driving, among other changes.
Youth Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage is $5.15 per hour. However, a special
minimum wage of $4.25 per hour applies to employees under the
age of 20 during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of
employment with an employer. After 90 days, the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to pay the full federal
minimum wage. However, certain states may differ from state to
federal minimum wage. Click here to view your states regulations.
Working Papers (Employment/Age Certificates)
In some states, workers under eighteen, may need to obtain
working papers (officially called Employment/Age Certificates)
in order to legally be able to work. The form may be available
at at school. Otherwise, child workers can get one at the state
Department of Labor. Check the Employment/Age Certification list
to see which guidelines apply to you. If it's school, check with
your Guidance Office. If it's the Department of Labor, check
with your state office.
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