Harvest
Time Tracking
Sign up free

Break Laws for Minors

Navigating child labor laws can be complex, but Harvest provides clarity on federal and state regulations to ensure compliance and protect minors.

Try Harvest Free

How many hours did you work this week?

Enter your clock-in and clock-out times for each day. The calculator handles breaks, overtime, and weekly totals automatically.

Day Clock In Clock Out Break Hours
Total hours this week 0h
Regular hours (≤40) 0h
Overtime hours 0h
Average hours/day 0h
Total break time 0h

Track time automatically with Harvest

Walk through the entire flow below. Start a timer, check your reports, and create a real invoice — all in three clicks.

Go ahead — start tracking!

One click and you're timing. Try it right here: start a timer, add an entry, edit the details. This is exactly how it feels in Harvest.

  • One-click timer from browser, desktop & mobile
  • Works inside Jira, Asana, Trello, GitHub & 50+ tools
  • Duration or start/end — your call
  • Day, week & calendar views to stay on top of it all
  • Friendly reminders so no hour gets left behind
Acme Corp
Website Redesign
Homepage layout revisions
1:24:09
Content Strategy
Blog calendar planning
1:30:00
SEO Audit
Technical audit report
0:45:00
Brand Guidelines
Color system documentation
2:15:00
Logo Concepts
Initial sketches round 1
1:00:00
Today's total 6:54:09

Understanding Federal Child Labor Laws: The FLSA Foundation

The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) establishes essential guidelines for child labor in the United States, setting the minimum age for most non-agricultural work at 14. It also defines work hour restrictions for minors aged 14 and 15, limiting them to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week, with work permissible only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during the school year. These hours extend to 9 p.m. from June 1st to Labor Day. For minors aged 16 and 17, the FLSA removes hour restrictions but prohibits employment in hazardous occupations, such as operating heavy machinery and working in mining.

Federal law does not mandate meal or rest breaks, but if an employer provides them, breaks of 5 to 20 minutes must be paid, while meal periods of 30 minutes or more can be unpaid if the employee is relieved of duties. Violations of these regulations can result in fines up to $16,035 per minor, escalating to $72,876 for serious injuries or fatalities.

State-Specific Regulations: When Local Rules Take Precedence

State laws can impose stricter regulations than federal guidelines, and in such cases, the more protective law applies. For instance, states like Alabama and Illinois require that minors receive a 30-minute break after working five continuous hours. In Indiana, minors must receive breaks totaling 30 minutes for every six hours worked. These state mandates ensure minors have adequate rest and meal periods, reflecting local labor priorities.

Work permits are another area where state laws differ significantly; while the FLSA does not require them, many states do. Employers must be diligent in understanding both federal and state laws to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Failure to adhere to these laws can lead to substantial fines and legal repercussions.

Special Considerations: Agriculture and Entertainment

Child labor laws in agriculture have unique exemptions. For example, minors of any age may work for their parents on a family-owned farm, although general restrictions apply, such as a minimum age of 12 for non-hazardous farm work with parental consent. Hazardous tasks remain off-limits to those under 16 unless specific exemptions are met. Meanwhile, the entertainment industry is largely governed by state-specific regulations rather than federal laws, with states like California implementing detailed child actor labor codes, including mandated schooling and rest periods.

In entertainment, permits and trust funds, such as California's Coogan Act, are required to protect minors' earnings. Employers must navigate these sector-specific rules to ensure compliance and protect the welfare of young workers.

Employer Responsibilities and Compliance: Avoiding Violations

Employers must implement robust systems to comply with child labor laws. This includes verifying minors' ages and obtaining any state-required documentation, such as work permits or parental consent forms. Scheduling must adhere to both federal and state restrictions to avoid overworking minors and ensure they receive required breaks.

Additionally, employers should regularly review their practices to align with any changes in legislation, particularly in states that frequently update child labor laws. Assigning minors to hazardous tasks is strictly prohibited, and adherence to these regulations is critical to avoid significant financial penalties and ensure the safety and well-being of young workers.

Break Laws for Minors with Harvest

See how Harvest helps you navigate child labor laws by providing detailed federal and state guidelines for minors' employment.

Screenshot of Harvest's guide on child labor laws for minors.

Break Laws for Minors FAQs

  • The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets the minimum age for most non-agricultural work at 14. It restricts work hours for 14-15 year olds to 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week. There are no federal hour restrictions for those 16 and older, but hazardous work is prohibited for all minors under 18.

  • State laws can be more restrictive than federal laws. For example, many states require work permits and mandate specific break periods, such as a 30-minute meal break after five consecutive hours of work. Employers must comply with the most protective regulations applicable in their state.

  • Violations of child labor laws can result in fines up to $16,035 per minor for each federal infraction, with fines increasing to $72,876 if a violation results in serious harm or death. States can impose additional penalties.

  • Minors are prohibited from working in hazardous occupations, which include operating motor vehicles, power-driven machinery, and working in mining, logging, or roofing. These restrictions aim to protect the safety and well-being of young workers.

  • Work permit requirements vary by state. While the FLSA does not require them, many states do. These permits often require parental consent and school approval, helping ensure compliance with labor laws.

  • Under federal law, rest breaks lasting 5 to 20 minutes must be paid, while meal breaks of 30 minutes or more can be unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties. State laws may impose additional requirements.

  • In some states, minors are not allowed to waive their breaks. For example, Tennessee explicitly prohibits minors under 18 from waiving their required breaks, ensuring they receive adequate rest during work hours.

  • If an employer fails to provide required breaks, it constitutes a violation of child labor laws. This can lead to significant fines and penalties from federal and state labor departments, emphasizing the importance of compliance.