EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
Minnesota employers are generally covered by the Minnesota Child Labor Standards Act (Minn. Stat. §§ 181A.01–.12). Employers that are also covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must comply with both state and federal youth‑employment rules, and when rules differ, the stricter standard applies (for example, federal hour limits for 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds during the school year). Information on federal child labor laws is available from the U.S. Department of Labor, and Minnesota child labor information is available from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). FEDERAL CHILD LABOR STANDARDS The federal child labor provisions are intended to: • Protect the educational opportunities of minors; and • Prevent their employment in jobs and under conditions that are harmful to health or safety . At a high level, federal rules provide that: • Under 14: Generally may not be employed in non‑agricultural jobs, with limited exceptions (e.g., newspaper delivery, acting or performing, certain work for a parent’s solely owned non‑manufacturing business, certain wreath‑making) • 14–15 : May work only in specifically permitted non‑hazardous jobs outside school hours, and only within strict hour limits (no work during school hours; generally no more than 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non‑school day, or 40 hours in a non‑school week; not before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day). • 16–17 : May work in any non‑hazardous job, with no federal hour limits (state law may still limit hours for high‑school students). • 18 and older : May work in any job, including those federally defined as hazardous. Federal “hazardous occupation orders” bar minors under 18 from certain jobs, including work with explosives; many power‑driven woodworking, metalworking, bakery, meat‑processing, and paper‑product machines; certain power‑driven saws and hoists; roofing, demolition, logging and sawmilling; most slaughtering and meatpacking roles; most jobs involving operating motor vehicles or serving as outside helpers; and specified manufacturing of bricks, tiles, and similar products. Limited exemptions exist for properly structured apprenticeship and vocational education programs. For 14‑ and 15‑year‑olds, federal regulations specifically list what is allowed ; employment not expressly permitted is prohibited. Common permitted jobs include office work, many restaurant and retail tasks, some errands and deliveries by foot or bike, and, under conditions, certain lifeguard duties for 15‑year‑olds.
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