Fifteen Year Olds Working?

Question

What are the laws surrounding 15 year olds working in the United States? What companies hire 15 year olds?

Answer 1

Federal child labor law says that minors ages 14 or 15 can work in any non-manufacturing, non-production, non-distribution, non-transportation, non-warehousing employment. That essentially leaves things like child care, retail, food service, janitorial, etc., open to you. In addition to the occupation restrictions, federal law also limits the hours 14 and 15 year olds can work to those not before 7:00 a.m., not after 7:00 p.m. (except June 1 through Labor Day, you can work until 9:00 p.m.), no more than 3 hours a day on days when school is in session and no more than 18 hours a week during weeks when school is in session, and no more than 8 hours a day on days when school is not in session and no more than 40 hours a week during weeks when school is not in session.

For more specific information on federal child labor laws, look at Title 29 of the US Code of Federal Regulations, Part 570, or contact the US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, at www.dol.gov or 1-866-4US-WAGE.

Of course, your state might have child labor laws that are more restrictive. To find out, call your state labor department or contact your Lieutenant Governor's office (the numbers should be in the blue (or government) pages of your telephone book).

Many companies hire 15 year olds, such as fast food places, grocery stores, etc., but many of them don't, as well. Sometimes their insurance carriers require that all employees be at least 16 years of age in order for the employer to get insurance, so just because a company CAN hire 14 and 15 year olds, doesn't mean they HAVE to or that they WILL.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Most states require you to apply for a worker"s permit. I got one at fifteen and started working.