{"id":4730,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/hiring-minors-for-your-business.html"},"modified":"2024-06-06T05:10:18","modified_gmt":"2024-06-06T10:10:18","slug":"hiring-minors-for-your-business","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/employment-law-and-human-resources\/hiring-minors-for-your-business.html","title":{"rendered":"Hiring Minors for Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hiring Minors for Your Business<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Hiring minors can be a good way to increase summer employment. Small businesses like the number of ready workers who need work experience and don’t mind irregular hours and minimum-wage jobs.<\/p>\r\n

Before hiring a batch of high school students, small-business owners should review the child labor provisions in their state. Child labor laws may have changed since they were out tossing newspapers off their bike. Federal and state laws limit the nature of labor and hours a minor may work.<\/p>\r\n

FLSA Overview<\/h2>\r\n

The federal Fair Labor Standards Act<\/a> (FLSA), enacted in 1938, regulates a wide range of labor practices, including child labor. In addition, each state has its own child labor laws. These laws protect minors by limiting the types of jobs and number of hours minors may work. If there is a conflict between your state’s child labor law and the FLSA, the stricter of the two prevails.<\/p>\r\n

The FLSA child labor laws balance the right to work and the right to education. Young workers have the right to a safe workplace, to receive wages as required by law, and to work hours that do not conflict with their schooling.<\/p>\r\n

Federal child labor laws set the youth minimum wage, limit hiring for hazardous occupations, and restrict the number of days of employment during the school year. The purpose of child labor laws is to avoid the abuses of the 19th century, when children labored 14 hours a day in dangerous work environments.<\/p>\r\n

Federal Age Groups<\/h2>\r\n

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) divides minors into age groups for purposes of employment. This provides employers with a convenient marker for hiring and training new hires. Business owners hiring minors as part-time workers can tell at a glance what groups are fit for what jobs by knowing their age bracket.<\/p>\r\n

General Exemptions<\/h3>\r\n

The FLSA does not apply to young people (no matter their age) working:<\/p>\r\n