Minors

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets wage, hours worked, and safety requirements for working minors (individuals under age 18). The rules vary depending upon the particular age of the minor and the particular job involved. As a general rule, the FLSA sets 14 years of age as the minimum age for employment, and limits the number of hours worked by minors under the age of 16.

Also, the FLSA generally prohibits the employment of a minor in work declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor (for example, work involving excavation, driving, and the operation of many types of power-driven equipment). Each state also has its own laws relating to employment, including the employment of minors. If state law and the FLSA overlap, the law which is more protective of the minor will apply.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), youths 14 and 15 years old may work outside school hours in various non manufacturing, non-mining, non-hazardous jobs under certain conditions.

Permissible Work Hours for 14 and 15 Year-Olds

3 hours on a school day; 18 hours in a school week; 8 hours on a non-school day; 40 hours in a non-school week; and between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except from June 1 through Labor Day, when nighttime work hours are extended to 9pm.