what are the federal requirements for child labor
The federal requirements for child labor in the United States are outlined by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Here are some key points:
1. Minimum Age: The law prohibits employment of children under 14 years of age in non-agricultural occupations, except for specific exceptions, such as delivering newspapers or working for their parents in certain businesses.
2. Younger Workers: Children aged 14-15 can work limited hours and in non-hazardous jobs, such as office/clerical work, retail, and certain food service positions. However, they are restricted from working during school hours and in hazardous industries.
3. Hours and Time Restrictions: For children aged 16-17, there are no restrictions on types of non-hazardous work they can perform, except for a few hazardous industries. They are also allowed to work unlimited hours, except during school hours.
4. Hazardous Occupations: The FLSA has established a list of hazardous occupations that are completely off-limits to workers under 18 years of age. These include mining, logging, operating certain power-driven machinery, manufacturing explosives, and more.
5. Work Permits: In some states, minors may need to obtain work permits or age certificates before starting employment. These permits generally ensure that the work is not interfering with the minor's education.
6. Breaks and Conditions: The FLSA also stipulates requirements for breaks and rest periods, stating that young workers are entitled to specific rest breaks and limitations on hours worked during school days and non-school days.
It is important to note that individual states may have additional child labor laws that further restrict or regulate employment of minors beyond the federal requirements.
Federal requirements for child labor in the United States are governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and enforced by the Department of Labor (DOL). Here are the general guidelines:
1. Age restrictions: Children under the age of 14 are generally prohibited from working, except for certain exceptions like delivering newspapers or working in non-hazardous agricultural businesses. However, child actors, models, and performers may work with appropriate permits.
2. Working hours: For children aged 14 and 15, there are restrictions on the hours that they can work. They can only work outside of school hours, can't work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (except during summer vacation when evening hours are extended), and can't work more than 3 hours on a school day.
3. Prohibited occupations: There is a list of hazardous occupations that individuals under the age of 18 are generally not allowed to engage in. These include operating certain heavy machinery, operating power-driven woodworking machines, working on rooftops, working with explosives, and more.
4. Minimum wage: Child labor laws do not allow minors to be paid less than the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour (as of July 2021). Some states have higher minimum wages that also apply.
5. Recordkeeping requirements: Employers are required to keep records of employees' ages, the hours they worked, and the wages paid to ensure compliance with child labor laws.
It's important to note that there may be additional state-specific child labor laws that supplement federal requirements, so it's advisable to check both federal and state labor laws for complete guidance.
To find the federal requirements for child labor, you can refer to the official website of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL has a dedicated section that provides comprehensive information about child labor laws and regulations.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to find the federal requirements for child labor:
1. Open a web browser and go to the U.S. Department of Labor's official website. The website URL is www.dol.gov.
2. Once on the homepage, use the search bar at the top of the page and type in "child labor."
3. From the search results, look for the link that points to the "YouthRules!" page on the DOL website. This section specifically addresses child labor laws.
4. Click on the link to access the "YouthRules!" page.
5. On the "YouthRules!" page, you will find a wealth of information about federal child labor provisions, including hours of work, types of jobs performed, and age restrictions. There will also be links to specific sections of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that pertain to child labor.
6. Review the information provided to understand the various federal requirements and restrictions for child labor.
It's important to note that state laws may also have additional requirements or restrictions regarding child labor. You can find information on state-specific regulations by visiting the individual state's Department of Labor or similar agency website.