Working at age 14 in Michigan offers young people early career experience and financial independence. The state’s Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA) imposes a strict framework of rules to ensure the minor’s well-being and education remain the priority. Compliance with both state and federal child labor laws is mandatory for all employers and teens, governing required paperwork and specific types of work allowed.
Understanding the Legal Requirement to Work
Before any 14-year-old begins working in Michigan, they must obtain a Youth Employment Permit, commonly known as a work permit, as mandated by the YESA. This permit grants official permission for the minor to be employed in a specific job and must be secured before the first day of work. The process is initiated by the teen and the prospective employer.
The first step involves the employer completing a portion of the work permit form, confirming job details and their intention to hire the minor. The minor and their parent or guardian must then sign the form, providing consent for employment. This parental sign-off acknowledges that the work schedule and occupation are understood and approved.
The completed form is submitted to an “issuing officer,” typically an authorized person at the minor’s local school or school district. The officer verifies the minor’s age and academic standing; the permit can be revoked if academic performance is unsatisfactory. Once approved, the permit is issued to the employer, who must keep it on file at the workplace for the duration of employment.
A separate work permit is required for each new job a minor accepts. The permit for 14- and 15-year-olds specifies the legal working hours and is essential for compliance with Michigan’s youth employment standards. High school graduates under 18 are generally exempt from the work permit requirement.
Permitted and Prohibited Occupations
Michigan law strictly regulates the environments and tasks a 14-year-old can engage in, classifying jobs to protect young workers from hazardous situations. The YESA determines which occupations are permissible and which are prohibited, emphasizing safety. Understanding these distinctions is necessary for finding an appropriate job.
Permitted Jobs in Michigan
Fourteen-year-olds are generally allowed to work in retail, food service, and office environments where the tasks are non-hazardous and supervised. Common opportunities include office and clerical work, which may involve filing, data entry, and answering phones. In retail settings, minors can work as sales associates, stockers, or bag groceries.
In restaurants and food service, a 14-year-old can work as a server, host, or busser. They are prohibited from working in the kitchen area, particularly near open flames or power-driven food preparation equipment. Outside work like groundskeeping is allowed, provided the minor does not use power-driven equipment, such as lawnmowers or hedge trimmers. All work must be conducted under the direct supervision of an adult employee who is at least 18 years old.
Prohibited Jobs in Michigan
Michigan law prohibits 14-year-olds from employment in any occupation deemed hazardous, aligning with federal regulations to prevent injury. This includes work in manufacturing, mining, and construction operations, such as building, excavation, and roofing. Minors are also restricted from working with or near power-driven machinery, including operating motorized vehicles or assisting as an outside helper for deliveries.
Prohibitions extend to any job involving contact with hazardous substances, chemicals, explosives, or radioactive materials. In the food industry, a 14-year-old cannot work in meat processing, slaughtering, or butchering, nor can they use power-driven meat processing machines. They are generally restricted from working in establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises, unless the sale of food constitutes a significant portion of the business.
Maximum Work Hours and Scheduling Restrictions
The time constraints placed on 14-year-old workers are specific and designed to ensure employment does not interfere with their education. Michigan law distinguishes between periods when school is in session and periods when school is not in session, such as summer vacation. Compliance with both state and federal laws is required, meaning the most restrictive rule must be followed.
During the school year, 14-year-olds are limited to working outside of school hours, a maximum of 3 hours per school day. The total work hours must not exceed 18 hours during a school week, and the combined hours of school and work cannot surpass 48 hours in a single week. Additionally, they cannot work before 7:00 a.m. or past 7:00 p.m.
The work schedule expands when school is not in session, allowing a 14-year-old to work up to 8 hours per day, with a weekly maximum of 40 hours. During the summer (June 1st through Labor Day), the evening restriction is extended, allowing work until 9:00 p.m. Regardless of the time of year, minors cannot be employed for more than five continuous hours without receiving an uninterrupted rest or meal break of at least 30 minutes.
Strategies for Finding Age-Appropriate Employment
Finding a job at 14 requires a focused approach, targeting businesses that commonly hire young workers and are equipped to comply with strict labor laws. Local small businesses, family-owned restaurants, and retail shops often offer appropriate entry-level positions where supervision is readily available. Larger retail chains, grocery stores, and amusement parks are also frequent employers of young teens, as they typically have established systems for compliance.
Teens should concentrate their job search on roles that involve customer interaction, light administrative work, or non-motorized outdoor tasks, matching the legally permitted occupations. When applying, the focus should be on soft skills, such as reliability, a positive attitude, and a willingness to learn. Since 14-year-olds cannot operate complex equipment, emphasizing strong customer service and organizational skills is beneficial.
Interview preparation should include a clear understanding of the work permit process and hour restrictions, demonstrating a mature approach to employment. A prospective employer appreciates a candidate who has researched the legal requirements and can clearly communicate their availability within those constraints. Securing a written intent-to-hire letter from an employer is the first step in obtaining the required work permit.
Michigan Wage and Compensation Rules
Employment at age 14 is subject to Michigan’s minimum wage laws. While the standard minimum wage rate is set for adult workers, minors are subject to specific provisions. For 14-year-olds, the wage they must be paid is generally the federal minimum wage, as Michigan law does not have a separate subminimum wage for workers under age 16.
Employers must ensure that all time worked is accurately recorded and that the minor receives a paystub detailing hours worked, gross pay, and any deductions. If the minor works in a tipped occupation, such as a busser, the employer must ensure the minor’s base hourly wage combined with their tips equals or exceeds the full standard minimum wage. Michigan recognizes a “training wage” of $4.25 per hour, but this only applies to newly-hired employees aged 16 to 19 for their first 90 days of employment, meaning it does not apply to 14-year-olds.