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While at one time there were no laws governing child employment, today the minors of the United States are protected by a number of child labor laws. In order to protect children from unhealthy working conditions the government developed the laws to standardized the practice of employing children. Today’s employers must abide by the rules or risk serious fines or jail time.
Remember that the different states within the country have created laws of their own. Still, there is a set of generalized rules to follow if you are considering the possibility of employing minors.
- Children under the age of 14 cannot be employed except under very specific conditions. These conditions are primarily work in the acting industry.
- Children may work to deliver newspapers once they have reached their tenth birthday.
- Children do have the right to work under a variety of work-study programs. These must be approved by the state in which they live.
- Parents who own a business may employ their children.
- Once a minor has reached the age of 14, they have the right to employment under specific conditions. The job must not place them in a dangerous situation and parent must approve of the placement. Some states need the child’s school to sign off as well.
If you are considering hiring a student, it is critical that you contact your state to find what specific laws will apply to you. Failure to do so could end very badly for you and your business.
