Thinking of hiring a minor to help in your business? Make sure you follow labor guidelines. 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. States also have guidelines that may be stricter than the federal regulations, so make sure you check your state labor board as well. To find out state regulations, see http://www.dol.gov/whd/contacts/state_of.htm#WV.
Hours worked by 14 and 15 year-olds are limited to:
- Non-school hours
- 3 hours in a school day
- 18 hours in a school week
- 8 hours on a non-school day
- 40 hours on a non-school week
- Between 7am and 7pm except from June 1 through Labor Day when evening hours are extended to 9pm
The FLSA does not limit the number of hours or times of day for workers 16 years and older.
In non-agricultural work, the permissible jobs by age are as follows:
- Workers 18 years or older may perform any job whether hazardous or not
- Workers 16 & 17 years old may perform any jobs not deemed hazardous (http://www.youthrules.dol.gov/know-the-limits/hazards/index.htm)
- Workers 14 & 15 years old may work outside school hours in certain specified jobs http://www.youthrules.dol.gov/know-the-limits/14-15.htm
There is no minimum age for youth who work in businesses owned by their parents (except mining, manufacturing or hazardous jobs).
Many states require work permits to be issued. Potential candidates can check with their career center on their school campus for more information to see if they must receive a work permit before beginning work.
Offering employment to minors can benefit you as well as the youth, but make sure you follow the guidelines that are the most stringent for your area to guarantee you are in compliance with all labor laws.