For many retailers, the holiday shopping season is a “make or break” period which can define their bottom lines for the entire year. Temporary and part-time employment spikes as retailers and other businesses increase staffing to accommodate their seasonal increase in business. Workers not familiar with this sort of employment, and employers unaccustomed to hiring part-time and/or seasonal employees, may not be fully aware of the regulations surrounding such employment.
Children 14 and 15 years of age may be employed outside of school hours in a variety of non-manufacturing and non-hazardous jobs for limited periods of time and under specified conditions. It is important to keep in mind that any work that is not specifically permitted for these 14 and 15 year-old youth, as listed in the Department’s child labor regulations, is strictly
prohibited. Sixteen and 17-year-olds may be employed for unlimited hours in any occupation other than those declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. Once a youth reaches 18 years of age, he or she is no longer subject to the Federal youth employment provisions.
The Secretary of Labor has defined 17 Hazardous Occupations which are particularly hazardous for 16 & 17 year old minors, or detrimental to their health or well-being.
As you get ready for the holiday season, make sure you are familiar with all worker laws—especially when trying to meet peak consumer demand.
