Working in a warehouse environment offers young people valuable work experience in a fast-paced, logistics setting. Determining the minimum age for this type of employment is complex, depending on federal and state child labor laws. These laws dictate the minimum age and the specific tasks minors are legally permitted to perform. They are primarily designed to protect the minor’s safety, health, and educational opportunities.
Federal Minimum Age Requirements
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes the baseline for employing young workers. It sets an 18-year minimum age for occupations declared hazardous. For non-agricultural work, the general minimum age is 14, but strict rules apply to workers under 16.
Minors who are 14 or 15 years old are limited to working outside of school hours in non-manufacturing, non-mining, and non-hazardous jobs. When school is in session, they can work no more than three hours a day (including Fridays) and a total of 18 hours per week. When school is not in session, these limits increase to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Work hours are restricted to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., extending to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day.
Once a minor turns 16, federal hour restrictions are removed, allowing for unlimited hours. However, 16- and 17-year-olds are still prohibited from performing any job declared a Hazardous Occupation (HO) by the Secretary of Labor. This shifts the regulatory focus from the number of hours worked to the inherent dangers of the job itself.
Specific Restrictions for Teen Workers in Warehouses
The FLSA introduces specific prohibitions for minors due to the nature of warehouse work. For 14- and 15-year-olds, the FLSA generally prohibits “warehousing and storage” work, except for tasks that are strictly clerical or office-based. They are also banned from working in any workplace where goods are manufactured or processed.
The Hazardous Occupations Orders (HOs) are the primary barrier for minors under 18 in a warehouse setting. HOs prohibit tasks involving power-driven machinery. Minors under 18 are not permitted to operate, assist in operating, clean, or repair power-driven machinery such as forklifts, balers, or power-driven hoisting apparatus. This prohibition extends to equipment like high-lift trucks and powered jacks commonly used to move materials.
Federal restrictions also prohibit minors under 18 from serving as an outside helper or driver of a motor vehicle. This includes loading and unloading goods to and from trucks on a loading dock. Consequently, most core functions of a typical logistics and distribution center are restricted until a worker reaches 18 years of age.
State Law Variations and Stricter Requirements
Federal child labor laws establish a floor of protection. State laws can impose stricter requirements, but never weaker ones. When both federal and state laws apply, the standard that provides the most protection to the minor worker must be followed. This results in varied regulations across the country affecting a minor’s work eligibility.
Many states enforce stricter rules on work hours, even for 16- and 17-year-olds, who have unlimited hours under federal law. Some state laws impose limits on daily or weekly hours, or set earlier curfew times on school nights for this age group. Some states also require breaks or meal periods for minors, which the federal FLSA does not mandate.
States may also set a higher minimum age for specific warehouse occupations or require additional administrative steps. The most protective law always governs the employment relationship, complicating compliance for employers operating across state lines.
The Process of Getting Hired as a Minor
Minors seeking employment must navigate a specific administrative process to ensure compliance with child labor standards. In most states, this requires obtaining a work permit, often called working papers or an employment certificate. While the federal government does not require these documents, many state laws make them mandatory for anyone under 18.
The work permit is typically issued through the minor’s school guidance office or the state’s department of labor. The application requires proof of age, such as a birth certificate or driver’s license, and a signature from a parent or guardian consenting to the job.
The prospective employer must also complete a section of the application, detailing the exact nature of the work, the work site address, and the proposed hours. The issuing authority reviews this information to confirm the job complies with all federal and state child labor laws before granting the permit. This step ensures the minor’s employment does not interfere with their schooling or expose them to prohibited work.
Types of Warehouse Roles Available to Minors
Despite restrictions on machinery and processing, minors can find employment in roles that support the overall warehouse operation. These positions focus on light, manual tasks that fall outside of hazardous categories.
Permissible jobs often include sorting packages by hand, labeling products, or performing light packaging duties, provided no power-driven machinery is involved. Inventory counting, administrative support in an office area, and general clean-up work away from operational machinery also align with child labor laws. The goal is to keep the minor engaged in work that is above ground and away from the movement of goods by vehicles.
These roles are often clerical or involve manual handling of lighter items, such as assembling orders or shelving goods. By focusing on non-hazardous tasks, employers can offer young people entry-level positions that comply with the law while providing an introduction to the logistics industry.