Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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Youth Employment

Overview

The federal youth employment provisions, authorized by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938, also known as the child labor laws, were enacted to ensure that when young people work, the work is safe and does not jeopardize their health, well-being or educational opportunities. These provisions also provide limited exemptions.

General Guidance

• YouthRules! — Describes the requirements of the youth employment laws as they relate to teens, parents, educators and employers.
• Child Labor Bulletin No. 101 — Describes the occupational requirements for nonagricultural employment.
• Child Labor Bulletin No. 102 — Describes the occupational and hours limitiations for agricultural employment for minors.
• State Youth Employment Laws — Links to state employment laws which also regulate the employment of young workers.

Fact Sheets

• Amusement Parks (PDF) — Provides the youth employment requirements for youth employment in amusement parks and recreational establishments.
• Cooking and Baking (PDF) — Information concerning cooking and baking activities under the federal youth employment provisions.
• Driving Automobiles and Trucks (PDF) — General information concerning the application for the federal provisions for driving motor vehicles.
• Teen Driving (PDF) — Explains the youth employment requirements for minors to operate motor vehicles.
• Employing Youth In Restaurants (PDF) — Provides general information concerning the application to youth employment in restaurants and quick service establishments.
• Spanish Version
• Farm Jobs (PDF) —Answers questions concerning youth employment in agriculture.
• Spanish Version
• Grocery Stores (PDF) — Provides general information concerning youth employment in super markets and grocery stores.
• Spanish Version (PDF)
• Health Care (PDF) — Information concerning employing young workers in the health care industry.
• Lifeguards (PDF) — Requirements for youth employment under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Nonagricultural Occupations (PDF) — General information concerning employment in non-agricultural occupations.
• Spanish Version
• Chinese Version (PDF)
• Korean Version (PDF)
• Thai Version (PDF)
• Vietnamese Version (PDF)
• Power-Driven Balers and Compactors (PDF) — General information concerning youth employment as it relates to loading, unloading and operation of scrap paper balers and paper box compactors.
• Recreation Establishments (PDF) —Provides the youth employment requirements for youth employment in amusement parks and recreational establishments.
• Roofing and work on or about a roof (PDF) — Provides information on the employment of minors in roofing activities and on roofs.
• Visits to Employers (PDF) — Provides general information about Wage and Hour Investigations.
• Wood Processing Industries (PDF) — Preliminary guidance concerning changes under the FLSA that impact employment of minors exempt from compulsory school attendance laws in businesses where machine process wood products.

e-Tools

• elaws — Youth Employment Rules — Provides guidelines for the employment of workers under the age of 18 in nonagricultural occupations.
• Employer Self Assessment Tool for Child Labor in Non-Agriculture — Assists employers comply with the youth employment provisions by providing guidance for employers to evaluate their level of compliance.

Publications

• Posters, Stickers & Bookmarks Provides access to the posters, stickers and bookmarks designed for youth employment.

Interpretive Guidance

• Opinion Letters
• Opinion Letters from the Administrator
• Non-Administrator Opinion Letters
• Field Operations Handbook
• Chapter 33 — Child Labor (PDF)

Applicable Laws and Regulations

• Law
• The FLSA — Establishes the youth employment provisions for the employment of young workers.
• Regulations
  • 29 CFR Part 570 — Regulations of the youth employment provisions under the FLSA.