A Summary on Child Labor Laws and The Minimum Wage
As you might recall from history class, some employers used to take advantage of children. Many kids got sick or injured because of long hours and dangerous working conditions.
Federal and state governments eventually passed child labor laws to give children more rights. When federal and state laws are different, the law that provides the strongest protection applies.
If you have a job or are looking to get one, you should know your rights. Get informed about child labor laws so that no employer can take advantage of you.
Work Permits
Some states require teens to get a work permit or an age certificate before getting a job. The work permit shows that you are eligible to work and that you meet the minimum age requirements for particular types of work. Your school guidance counselor can help you with the paperwork if your state has a work permit or age certificate requirement. Find more details, visit U.S. Department of Labor permit and age certificate information by state.
Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour as of 2017, although some state minimum wages are higher. Under the federal youth minimum wage rules, employers may pay workers under the age of 20 years of age, $4.25 per hour for their first 90 calendar days of employment. After that, employers must pay youth workers the current federal or state minimum wage. This approach is not followed in many states. For more information on state minimum wage laws, please check out the U.S. Department of Labor Minimum wage listings by state. Keep in mind that some cities and municipalities also impose their own minimum wage requirements.
Working Hours
To protect children’s right to an education, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and various state laws limit the hours that youth can work. Under the FLSA for example, workers under 16 years old may only work during non-school hours, up to 18 hours during school weeks and 40 hours during non-school weeks. There are also certain exemptions, e.g., for children who work at businesses owned or operated by their parents and for children who work on farms.
For more information, check out the U.S. Department of Labor work hour information page.
Working Conditions
A government agency called the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) creates and enforces standards for workplace safety. Among other things, OSHA obligates private employers to maintain working conditions that are “free of known dangers.”
Although OSHA applies to all private employers, there are special rules in place for youth workers. As a result, children and teens are prohibited from working in mines, manufacturing, and other hazardous jobs.
Handy Resources
Want to learn more about your labor rights? Explore these online resources for everything you should know about child working laws and minimum wage.
- Youth Rules! Preparing the 21st Century Workforce
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- United States Department of Labor (DOL)
Please note: The information provided above is intended as general guidance, and it may or may not be correct, complete or current at the time of reading. The content is not intended to be used as a substitute for legal or other professional advice.
Written by Jessica L. Mendes.
