Child labor violations were up 37% in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), leading to a focus on enforcement. When certain industries, such as hospitality and food services, have trouble hiring, that is not a surprising result.
When you hear about high-profile companies receiving fines from the DOL for violating child labor laws, you may be wondering if they are not familiar with the laws. Most likely, the human resources departments are aware, but managers in separate locations may not be.
Except in very limited circumstances, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) prohibits 14- and 15-year-olds from working before 7 a.m. and after 7 p.m. during the school year, with a weekly limitation of hours worked. There are very limited occupations for 14- and 15-year-olds, with some occupational limitations for those 16 and 17 years old.
States also have child labor laws and compulsory school attendance laws. The applicable child labor requirements for the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Arizona, Montana, and Utah are included in our whitepaper Child Labor Requirements. If federal and state requirements differ, the more stringent standard must be observed. We also have a link to the Child Labor Laws Fact Sheet on the DOL website. Employers Council members may contact us for assistance.
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