Summer is quickly approaching- are you ready for employees under the age of 18?

All Pennsylvania employers must be aware of and follow very specific regulations and guidelines governing the type of work, conditions of work, and hours of work that an employee under the age of 18 can perform.  We caution all Pennsylvania employers to be aware of the Child Labor Act, which recently went into effect.  The Act provides a specific list of establishments where the employment of minors is prohibited as well as specific guidelines governing the hours of work a minor may perform. In addition, the Act also sets forth specific recordkeeping and notice posting requirements, which the employer must follow.  In order to work, a minor must have a valid work permit issued by the school district in which the minor resides. The type of work permit required varies based on the age of the minor.

Some helpful hints:

  • Generally, employment for those under the age of 14 is prohibited although there are some exceptions.
  • Anyone under the age of 18 who works five continuous hours or more is required to be given a 30 minute uninterrupted rest period.
  • Anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from working more than six consecutive days (except newspaper delivery)
  • Employees  Aged 14 & 15:
    • During the school term, an employee aged 14 or 15 can work a maximum of 3 hours / school day or 8 hours / non-school day with a maximum of 18 hours / school week (Monday through Friday).  An additional 8 hours on Saturday and Sunday is permissible.
    • The work cannot interfere with school attendance.
    • During school vacations, an employee aged 14 or 15 can work a maximum of 8 hours / day with a maximum of 40 hours / week.
    • They can work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school term; however, during school vacations, they may work until 9 p.m.
  • Employees Aged 16 & 17:
    • During the school term, an employee aged 16 or 17 can work a maximum 8 of hours / day with a maximum of 28 hours / school week (Monday through Friday).  An additional 8 hours on Saturday and Sunday is permissible.
    • During school vacations, an employee aged 16 or 17 can work a maximum of 10 hours / day with a maximum of 48 hours / week although the employee may refuse any request to work more than 44 hours / week.
    • They can work between the hours of 6 a.m. and midnight during the school term; however, during school vacations, they may work until 1 a.m.

Please note this is solely a short synopsis of a portion of the Act.  Please consult one of our employment attorneys for a comprehensive discussion of the Act’s requirements.