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| November 4, 2008 DOL Home > Compliance Assistance > By Topic > Wages and Hours Worked > Wages and Hours for Youth |  |
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) monitors child labor and enforces child labor laws. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) restricts the hours (and occupations) youth may work. Child labor provisions under FLSA are designed to protect the educational opportunities of youth and prohibit their employment in jobs that are detrimental to their health and safety. The Department's YouthRules! initiative seeks to promote positive and safe work experiences for young workers. FLSA restricts the hours that youth under 16 years of age can work and lists hazardous occupations too dangerous for young workers to perform. In addition, the FLSA establishes wage standards for employees less than 20 years of age and establishes subminimum wage categories for certain full-time students, student learners, apprentices, and workers with disabilities. See subminimum wage. Enforcement of the FLSA's child labor provisions is handled by the Wage and Hour Division of the Departments Employment Standards Administration. All states also have standards concerning youth employment. When federal and state standards are different, the rules that provide the most protection to young workers will apply. For information on youth who are in apprenticeship programs, see Apprenticeships. COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE MATERIALS
Every covered employer must keep certain records for each employee. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires no particular form for the records, but does require that the records include certain identifying information about the employee and data about the hours worked and the wages earned. For a listing of the basic records that an employer must maintain, see the FLSA recordkeeping fact sheet. The FLSA does not require that youth get work permits or working papers to get a job. However, some states do require work permits prior to getting a job. School counselors may be able to advise if a work permit is needed before getting a job. Prior to paying an employed the subminimum wage, as allowed under certain provisions of the FLSA, employers may have to apply for a certificate from the U. S. Department of Labor. See the form instructions page for additional information. APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
*Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Labor's Confidentiality Protocol for Compliance Assistance Inquiries, information provided by a telephone caller will be kept confidential within the bounds of the law. Compliance assistance inquiries will not trigger an inspection, audit, investigation, etc. |
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Wages and Hours for Youth
