Wage and Hour Bulletin
May 2019
Keeping teens safe at work this summer
Summer break is nearly here for Minnesota teens and many may be looking for employment. The following are some important tips about child labor laws for employers to consider before hiring teens for summer work. Contact us if you have any questions.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry strives to help employers keep workplaces safe for teens through education and by enforcing the Minnesota Child Labor Standards Act.
Child labor restrictions specific to ages 14 and 15
Teens ages 14 and 15 cannot:
- work before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m.;
- work more than eight hours in a 24-hour period; or
- work more than 40 hours a week.
Sixteen- and 17-year-olds don't have working-hours restrictions if school is not in session.
Examples of work teens cannot do
Those age 17 and under cannot:
- work in construction;
- work in the sale, serving, dispensing or handling of alcohol;
- operate power-driven machinery, such as forklifts, saws or meat grinders; or
- work in the operation, erection or dismantling of rides or machinery in an amusement park or traveling show, or loading or unloading passengers on rides.
Those age 15 and under cannot:
- operate power-driven lawn and garden equipment;
- operate power-driven machinery, such as drills, sanders, etc.; or
- work with laundry, rug cleaning or dry cleaning equipment.
For a complete list of prohibited occupations for minors, contact us or visit our webpage about prohibited work for youth.
Exemptions for types of work for teens
Following is a list of exemptions for the type of work a minor may perform, the age at which they can work and work-hour restrictions.
Minors under the age of 14 may be employed as:
- an actor, actress or model;
- a newspaper carrier if at least 11 years old;
- a youth athletic program referee if at least 11 years old and with parental or guardian consent); and
- an agricultural employee if at least 12 years old (this work is also exempt from work-hour restrictions).
Prohibited employment for minors under the age of 18 does not apply to a minor:
- who is 17 and is a high-school graduate; or
- who is working for a parental corporation owned solely by the minor's parents or guardians.
Exemption permits for working minors
Labor Standards has the ability to exempt minors from work-hour restrictions and prohibited employment.
Employers may complete an exemption permit for the minor in question and submit it to us for review via mail, email or fax.
Federal youth labor laws
In addition to Minnesota's child labor laws, the U.S. Department of Labor oversees and enforces child labor laws. Employers must follow both state and federal child labor laws. To learn more about federal child labor laws, visit www.dol.gov/whd/childlabor.htm.
Questions?
Labor Standards serves the citizens of Minnesota by providing
information about the state's wage, hour and employment laws.
Phone: 651-284-5075 or 800-342-5354
Email: dli.laborstandards@state.mn.us
Website: www.dli.mn.gov/laborlaw
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