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The Department of Labor's Employment Standards
Administration's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the
federal child labor laws. Generally speaking, the
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the
minimum age for employment (14 years for non-agricultural jobs), restricts the
hours youth under the age of 16 may work, and prohibits youth under the age of
18 from being employed in hazardous occupations. In addition, the FLSA
establishes subminimum wage standards for certain employees who are less than
20 years of age, full-time students, student learners, apprentices, and workers
with disabilities. Employers generally must have authorization from WHD in
order to pay subminimum wage rates.
Compliance materials
related to hiring youth workers is available from the Office of Compliance
Assistance Policy's Web site.
The FLSA's child labor provisions 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 launched its
YouthRules! initiative to
promote positive and safe work experiences for young workers.
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.
Note that federal employment laws on safety and health,
discrimination, benefits, etc. apply to youth, as well as to older workers.
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