Young Workers
Young workers are more vulnerable to being exploited by employers because of the their age and inexperience with employment and the law. Here is some basic information for young workers:
MINIMUM AGE
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets 14 as the minimum age for most non-agricultural work. However, at any age, youth may deliver newspapers; perform in radio, television, movie, or theatrical productions; work in businesses owned by their parents (except in mining, manufacturing or hazardous jobs); and perform babysitting or perform minor chores around a private home.
Different age requirements apply to the employment of youth in agriculture.
Many states have enacted child labor laws, some of which may have a minimum age for employment which is higher than the FLSA. Where both the FLSA and state child labor laws apply, the higher minimum standard must be obeyed.
MINIMUM WAGE
The law guarantees a minimum wage of not less than $4.25 may be paid to employees under the age of 20 for their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with any employer as long as their work does not displace other workers. After 90 consecutive days of employment, or when the worker reaches age 20 (whichever comes first), the worker must receive the minimum wage of $5.15 per hour.
HOURS
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the minimum age for employment in non-agricultural employment is 14.
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; and
- hours between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (except from June 1 through Labor Day, when evening hours are extended to 9 p.m.)
Youth 14 and 15 years old enrolled in an approved Work Experience and Career Exploration Program (WECEP) may be employed for up to 23 hours in school weeks and 3 hours on school days (including during school hours).
The FLSA does not limit the number of hours or times of day for workers 16 years and older.
Many states have enacted child labor laws as well. In situations where both the FLSA child labor provisions and state child labor laws apply, the higher minimum standard must be obeyed.
SAFETY AND HEALTH
Every year around 70 teens die from work and many more are injured. Find out what the most likely cause is; find out how to prevent it from happening to you.
Injuries occur from: Unsafe equipment, stressful conditions, inadequate safety training, inadequate supervision, dangerous work that is illegal or inappropriate for youth, and trying to hurry.
Deaths occur from: Homicide, driving or traveling, as passengers in motor vehicles, machine-related accidents, electrocution, falls
Food service/fast food
- Violent crimes
- Sharp objects
- Hot cooking equipment
- Slippery floors
Retail/sales
- Violent crimes
- Heavy lifting
Click Here to check out the Teen Workers Web Site for more information and how to prevent injury.
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