The state of Georgia offers many employment opportunities for 15-year-olds seeking to enter the workforce and gain professional experience. Minors this age are legally permitted to work, but their employment is governed by state and federal child labor laws. Navigating the job market requires a clear understanding of the legally mandated restrictions on working hours and the types of work that are permissible. These regulations ensure a safe and appropriate work environment that employers must follow when hiring young workers.
Key Restrictions in Georgia Child Labor Laws
The employment of minors under 16 years old in Georgia is strictly regulated by time restrictions. These limitations define the maximum number of hours a 15-year-old can work daily and weekly, changing significantly depending on whether school is in session. Georgia Code Title 39, Chapter 2, and federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations establish the rules employers must follow.
Hours During School Weeks
Minors aged 15 are limited to working a maximum of three hours on any day school is in session. The total number of hours worked during a school week cannot exceed 18. Work must also be performed outside of the hours when the local public school system is operating.
Hours During Non-School Weeks
The daily and weekly hour limits increase during periods when school is not in session, such as summer vacation or holidays. During these non-school weeks, 15-year-olds may work up to eight hours per day. The maximum weekly limit expands to 40 hours, allowing for full-time work during breaks.
Time of Day Restrictions
Work hours are confined to specific times of the day throughout the year. From the day after Labor Day through May 31, 15-year-olds may not work before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. This evening curfew is extended during the summer months, from June 1 through Labor Day, when work is permitted until 9:00 p.m.
Specific Industries and Job Examples
The types of jobs available to 15-year-olds are concentrated in service and retail industries that offer light, non-hazardous work. These sectors accommodate the strict hour and time-of-day restrictions established by law. Most entry-level positions involve customer service, basic maintenance, or support roles that do not require the use of heavy machinery.
Retail and Grocery Stores
Retail establishments and grocery stores are common employment locations for young workers. Roles include cashiering, selling merchandise, and stocking shelves. Other permissible duties include price marking, assembling customer orders, and bagging groceries.
Restaurants and Food Service
Restaurants often hire 15-year-olds for front-of-house and non-cooking support positions, such as hosting, bussing tables, and dishwashing. Minors are allowed to operate certain equipment, including electric or gas grills without open flames, and deep-fat fryers that use automatic basket-lowering and raising devices. They are prohibited from working in roles that involve operating power-driven machinery like meat slicers or dough mixers.
Entertainment and Recreation
The entertainment industry, including work in film, television, and theatrical productions, is a legal path for minors, though it requires special certification from the Georgia Department of Labor. Jobs in recreation, such as working at movie theaters, local parks, or golf course pro shops, are also acceptable. These roles usually involve customer service, light cleanup duties, or creative work.
Agricultural Jobs
Employment in agriculture has specific exemptions in Georgia law, as state child labor laws do not generally apply to farm work. Federal law permits 14- and 15-year-olds to work in non-hazardous agricultural jobs outside of school hours. Minors of any age are allowed to work at any time in any job on a farm owned or operated by their parents.
Jobs That Are Legally Prohibited for Minors
State and federal law strictly prohibit minors from engaging in occupations classified as hazardous. These restrictions apply regardless of the hours worked or the time of day.
Minors cannot be employed in manufacturing, mining, or processing occupations, including work in industrial settings like mills and factories. Operating or tending power-driven machinery is forbidden, encompassing equipment like meat slicers, bakery machinery, and woodworking tools. Work requiring operation from a ladder or scaffold is prohibited, as is employment in construction or demolition.
These prohibitions also extend to certain tasks within otherwise permissible industries. For example, a 15-year-old may not work in a meat cooler or walk-in freezer, except for the brief retrieval of items.
The Process for Obtaining a Work Permit
Before a 15-year-old can begin legal employment in Georgia, they must obtain an Employment Certificate, commonly referred to as a work permit. This certificate is mandatory for all minors under the age of 16 and documents that the job and hours comply with all child labor laws. The process involves the minor, the employer, and an authorized issuing officer.
The first step requires the minor to secure a job offer, as the application must include details about the specific job duties. The minor begins the application process, usually online, and provides the employer with a Minor Security Key (MSK). The employer then completes their portion of the form, certifying the job description, maximum hours, and work times.
Once both sections are complete, the minor must contact an authorized Issuing Officer to finalize the certificate. This officer is typically the school superintendent or a designated staff member at the minor’s school. The minor must present proof of age, usually a certified birth certificate, and the officer verifies that the proposed employment meets all legal requirements before issuing the final certificate.