Employment Law Blog

Don’t Get Burned With Teens Working During Summer Months

Ah, summer. Crowded pools, yards in need of tending, restaurants overflowing with customers – all present the perfect work opportunity for teenagers. For employers, hiring a seasonal or temporary workforce of teenagers comes with a few extra things to keep in mind. The federal law controlling child labor is the Fair Labor Standards Act, but Kentucky also has its own set of child labor laws with which employers must comply. As the summer heats up, remember these things to avoid getting burned with legal troubles:

• Employers are required to verify that teens are above the age of 14. This can be done through the request of birth certificates or drivers licenses.

• Some occupations are prohibited for anyone under 18, such as mining, logging or roofing. In addition, operating certain machinery (such as a forklift, a deli meat slicer, or a power-driven circular saw) may be prohibited by state or federal law.

• Teens ages 16 and 17 may work as many hours as they wish during the summer, but 14 and 15 year-olds may only work 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week while school is not in session.

If you are an employer and have questions about teenagers working for your business, contact a McBrayer employment law attorney.