Hiring Minors for Summer Jobs: What Employers Need to Know

Warm weather is here! Schools will soon be closed for the summer and minors will be looking for employment. Although employers are eager to hire during the summer months, there are important points to remember.State and federal laws have strict rules for those who are 17 years of age or younger.

Additional Regulations for Hiring Minors Include:

• Type of employment youth are permitted to perform
• Starting and ending times for each day
• Number of hours per day
• Number of hours per week
• Mandatory work permit

Required Work Permits for Minors from Schools

All minors under the age of 18 are subject to California’s child labor protections. Except in limited circumstances, all minors less than 18 years of age employed in the state of California must have a permit to work. Prior to permitting a minor to work, employers must possess a valid permit to employ and work. A permit to employ and work is issued by an authorized person at the minor’s school. During summer months or when school is not in session the work permit is obtained from the superintendent of the school district in which the minor resides.

Required Work Permits for Minors from Department of Education

Typically, after an employer agrees to hire a minor, the minor obtains from his or her school a Department of Education form titled “Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit.” The form must be completed by the minor and signed by the minor’s parent or guardian and the employer. After returning the completed and signed form to the school, school officials may issue the work permit. Permits issued during the school year expire five days after the opening of the next succeeding school year and must be renewed.

 For further information regarding hiring minors in California, feel free to contact Flores’ Human Resources Department at 619-588-2411.