This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Want to Hire Local Kids for Your Business? Know the Rules

Summer is almost here and with an improving economy, more local businesses will be looking for summer help. But what are the rules for hiring teenagers? Here's a primer.

With the economy slowly picking up, this may be the first summer in a few years where local businesses start hiring teens to work in substantial numbers.

Unfortunately for those businesses, the rules under state and federal law are a bit of a mess to follow.  And for teens trying to get their first job or trying to make some money, the rules can seem daunting.  

On my Connecticut Employment Law Blog, I talk a lot about the various wage & hour rules and routinely recommend  the Connecticut Department of Labor website for more information.

Find out what's happening in Avonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But even so, sometimes its hard to know where to start. Here are a few things to keep in mind: 

  • Employers should know that the rules of employment of minors vary depending on whether school is in session.  For example, during the school year, some 14 and 15 year olds can only work to 7 p.m. But during summer vacation, that changes to 9 p.m.  For 16 and 17 year olds it is later still.  And teens should know that these rules cannot be waived by the employer even if you want to work late.
  • Due to a change in the law a few years ago, 14 year olds can now work as a caddie or working in a pro shop for a golf course.  But there are other jobs as well that may be overlooked, such as working in professional offices (lawyers, CPAs), banks, and summer camps.  A full list of permitted jobs is here.  
  • 15 year olds have a little more leeway. In addition to the jobs that 14 year olds can work at, the law allows 15 year olds to work in any "mercantile establishment" (read: store) as a bagger, cashier, or stock clerk.  Importantly, working at places like restaurants are still prohibited. A full list of prohibited jobs is here. 
  •  Not surprisingly, jobs that require roofing or driving or anything considered even remotely dangerous, are still banned.
  • As an additional incentive to hiring minors, employers are actually allowed to pay teens a "sub-minimum wage" of 85 percent of Connecticut's minimum wage for the first 200 hours.  
  • Employer should ask the teens for their "working papers".  More information can again be found on the DOL's website on the technical requirements.  

With so many rules, it can sometimes be a challenge for employers to hire teens. But the DOL provides a checklist of things for employers to watch for. They include: 

Find out what's happening in Avonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Statement of Age/Working Papers (obtained by minors from most local public high schools with the employer's written promise of employment and the minor's proof of age)
  • Time & Hour Restrictions
  • Is it a Permitted Occupation for minor's age?
  • Is it a Permitted Industry for minor's age?
  • Do you provide at least a 30 minute meal period if the minor works seven and one-half (7 1/2) hours or more?
  • Do you pay wages at least equal to the state and federal minimum wage rates (or less if its in the first 200 hours)?
  • Do you maintain payroll records (3 years) and personnel files (1 year following separation)?
  • Do you provide employees with a "hiring agreement" or offer letter stating the employees' hours of employment, rate of pay, wage payment schedule and vacation, sick, and health & welfare benefit information?

As always, check with a trusted lawyer if you're new to this sort of hiring because of the minefields that exist.  

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?