Employing Youth / Child Labor Laws

If your business employs students and teenagers, you'll need to become familiar with child labor laws. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) includes child labor provisions that are designed to protect the educational opportunities of youth and prohibit their employment in jobs that are detrimental to their health and safety. Generally speaking, 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. FLSA also 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 the U.S. Department of Labor in order to pay sub-minimum wage rates.

Child labor laws can vary by state for specific occupations, you should also view your state's labor laws to be sure you are within the law.

Basic Information

• Child Labor Rules Advisor
  The FLSA Child Labor Advisor is designed to answer questions about workers and businesses that are subject to Federal child labor rules.
  
• Youth Rules! - Guide to Employing Teens and Youth
  Learn about the rules and regulations regarding hiring and employing teenaged workers.
• Workplace Rules for Youth
  Once a youth turns 18 years of age, there are no special federal rules on how or when they can be employed. However, for youth under 18, there are specific rules on the wages they may be paid, the occupations and industries in which they are allowed to work, and the hours they may work.
  
• Youth at Work : Rights and Responsibilities of Teens in the Workplace
  This site is aimed at teaching teens about their rights and responsibilities as an employee, and can help employers understand their requirements when employing teen workers.
  
• Find It! By Topic : Youth and Labor
  Provides a shortcut to the information and services the Department of Labor offers on youth and employment topics.

For Specific Types of Businesses

• Grocery Employer Self Assessment Tool
  The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division produced this self assessment tool to help grocery employers comply with the youth employment provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
  
• Restaurant Employer Self Assessment Tool
  The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division produced this self assessment tool to help restaurant employers comply with the youth employment provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.