Seeking a first job is a significant step toward independence for many 14-year-olds. Employment at this age is possible and provides valuable experience. However, the employment of young people is heavily regulated by law to protect their safety, health, and education. Compliance with these rules is mandatory for both the employee and the employer.
Understanding Child Labor Laws
The employment of minors is primarily regulated by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which establishes the minimum age for most non-agricultural work at 14 years old. The FLSA sets baseline standards for wages, hours, and permissible occupations. This federal law acts as a floor, dictating the least protective rules an employer must follow.
States also maintain their own child labor laws, which often impose stricter rules. When both federal and state laws apply, the law offering the greater protection to the minor must be followed. Therefore, a 14-year-old’s ability to work depends on the most restrictive rules governing their specific job and location.
Specific Jobs Allowed for 14-Year-Olds
Retail and Service Roles
Fourteen-year-olds are generally permitted to work in retail and food service establishments, provided their duties are restricted to light, non-hazardous tasks. Acceptable roles include bagging groceries, stocking shelves, or working as a cashier. In restaurants, a minor can bus tables, serve food, or work at a counter, but they cannot perform cooking duties.
Office and Clerical Work
Employment in professional offices is another permissible avenue for young workers, focusing on administrative support functions. Allowed tasks include general office and clerical work, filing documents, and operating office machines. A 14-year-old may also run errands within the office or perform light cleanup duties.
Manual Labor and Delivery
Certain forms of manual labor and delivery services are permitted, provided they do not involve power-driven equipment or motor vehicles. Errand and delivery work may be performed on foot, by bicycle, or using public transportation. Jobs performed for private homeowners, such as babysitting, yard work, and minor chores, are often exempt from federal child labor regulations entirely. These positions are typically considered casual employment.
Specific Exemptions
Certain occupations have specific exemptions from standard federal regulations. A minor is generally permitted to work for a business wholly owned by their parents, provided the work is not declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. Roles in the entertainment industry, such as acting, modeling, or performing, also operate under special permits and different rules.
Strict Limitations on Work Hours and Conditions
Federal law imposes strict limits on the number of hours a 14-year-old may work, with separate restrictions for school weeks and non-school weeks.
School Week Restrictions
During weeks when school is operating, a minor is limited to a maximum of three hours on any school day. The total hours worked during a school week cannot exceed eighteen.
Non-School Week Restrictions
The daily and weekly limits are extended during periods when school is not in session, such as summer vacation. On non-school days, a 14-year-old may work up to eight hours, with a maximum of forty hours allowed during a non-school week.
Time of Day Restrictions
Employment is restricted to the window between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. This evening restriction is relaxed during the summer months (June 1st through Labor Day), when the minor is permitted to work until 9:00 p.m. These time restrictions ensure young workers receive adequate rest. Employers are also typically required to provide meal or rest breaks, depending on state law.
Prohibited Occupations and Hazardous Tasks
Federal law explicitly prohibits 14-year-olds from engaging in occupations deemed hazardous or detrimental to their health. This prohibition includes all work in manufacturing, mining, and most construction occupations. The core restriction involves the operation of power-driven machinery, which is forbidden for this age group.
Minors cannot operate equipment like meat slicers, commercial mixers, or woodworking machinery. They are also barred from tasks involving work on or about a roof, scaffolding, or any elevated platform. Any job requiring driving a motor vehicle or working as an outside helper on a public road is also prohibited.
The Process of Getting Hired and Work Permits
Before a 14-year-old can legally begin a job, they are often required to obtain an employment certificate, commonly known as a work permit, in most states. The permit affirms the minor’s eligibility for employment and compliance with child labor laws. The process typically begins after the minor receives a job offer, which is necessary for the permit application.
Work permits are generally issued by the local school district or the state’s labor department. The application usually requires several documents:
- Proof of age.
- A physical fitness certificate from a physician.
- Written consent from a parent or guardian.
- Details about the job duties and proposed work hours from the employer.
Once issued, the employer must keep the original work permit on file at the place of employment.