School’s out and kids are looking for summer employment.  Your niece asks to work for you but you want to make sure allowing her on the payroll will not be a violation of employment laws.

According to the Department of Labor, the following rules must be considered when employing youth during summer breaks:

Youth ages 13-14 may only work in the following jobs:

• Newspaper delivery
• Baby sitting
• Acting or performing in movies, television, live theater or radio
• Helping in a business solely owned or operated by their parents.

Kids who are 14 & 15 are allowed to work with less restrictions to the job type as long their “on the clock” time worked is between the hours of 7 a.m. and no later than 9 p.m.  This is valid for the time frame of June 1 until Labor Day.  Working hours outside of these months, students are required to end work by 7 p.m.

Example jobs suitable for this age group include:
• Office work 
• Grocery or retail store
• Restaurant 
• Movie theater 
• Baseball or amusement park 
• Gas station

Work may not be performed in: 
• Construction or repair jobs
• Driving a motor vehicle or helping a driver
• Manufacturing and mining occupations
• Operating machinery 
• Door-to-door sales
• Sign waving
• Warehousing and storage

16 years of age and older have no restrictions regarding working hours and months like their younger counterparts.  However, they do remain subject to all standard work rules. Hazardous working environment jobs such as mining are not allowed. 

Once a child reaches the age of 18, they are not subject to youth employment laws and may choose to work for any business.  They remain covered by all employment rules and regulations.  For more information, we suggest you check with your state laws as well for additional rules.  For Example “Colorado Youth Law” .