Minor’s Rights FAQ

A: Work permits are issued at the school district’s discretion to thirteen (13) year old minors who have completed sixth (6) grade or its equivalent and minors who have completed seventh (7) grade or its equivalent. Work permits may also be issued to minors who are believed to be in danger of dropping out of school and/or minors participating in an employment program carried out on school grounds.

A: No, the hours minors can work during school days vary based on age.

A: While school is in session, aside from :

• Minors age twelve (12) or thirteen (13) may be employed only during school holidays and vacations, including weekends. They may never be employed on a school day, either before, during or after school.
• Minors fourteen to fifteen (14-15) years old are eligible to work up to three (3) hours per school day outside of school hours; eight (8) hours on any non-school day; and up to eighteen (18) hours per week.
• Minors sixteen to seventeen (16-17) years old are eligible to work up to four (4) hours on any school day; eight (8) hours on any non-school day; and up to forty-eight (48) hours per week.

A: On non-school days, minors are able to work up to eight (8) hours per day and forty (40) hours per week, except for minors age sixteen (16) and above who can work up to forty-eight (48) hours per week.

A: Yes. Minors below the age of sixteen (16) cannot work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., except from June 1 through Labor Day, during which they can work until 9 p.m. Minors above that age can work from 5m. to 10 p.m., except for evenings before non-school days, for which they can work until 12:30 a.m.

A: No. There are exceptions for students who serve as personal attendants, messengers, or are engage in work experience education (“WEE”). These rules are general guidelines for the majority of students

A: Employers can face fines or even imprisonment for violating the statute. But they also face reputational impact. In a field where reputation holds a vital role for business ventures, filing a lawsuit against violators not only impacts their finances but also leaves a stain on their reputation as lawsuits are a matter of public record visible to current and future business partners.