Work Permits

Must have completed 7th grade to work while school is in session. (EC 49112)

When school is in session:

• 4 hours per day on any school day. (EC 49112, 49116; LC 1391)
• 8 hours on any non-school day or on any day preceding a non-school day. (EC 49112; LC 1391)
• 48 hours per week. (LC 1391)
• WEE students & personal attendants may work more than 4 hours on a school day, but never more than 8. (EC 49116; LC 1391, 1392)

When school is not in session:

• 8 hours per day (LC 1391, 1392)
• 48 hours per week (LC 1391)

Spread of Hours:

• 5 a.m.–10 p.m. However, until 12:30 a.m. on any evening preceding a non-school day (LC 1391)
• WEE students, with permission, until 12:30 a.m. on any day (LC 1391.1)
• Messengers: 6 a.m.–9 p.m.

Must have completed 7th grade to work while school is in session
(EC 49112)

When school is in session:

• 3 hours per school day outside of school hours. (EC 49112, 49116; LC 1391)
• 8 hours on any non-school day
• No more than 18 hours per week. (EC 49116; LC 1391)
• WEE students may work during school hours & up to 23 hours per week. (EC 49116; LC 1391)

When school is not in session:

• 8 hours per day (LC 1391, 1392)
• 40 hours per week (LC 1391)

Spread of Hours:

• 7 a.m.–7 p.m., except that from June 1 through Labor Day, until 9 p.m. (LC 1391)

Labor laws generally prohibit non-farm employment of children younger than 14. Special rules apply to agricultural work, domestic work, and the entertainment industry. (LC 1285–1312)

When school is in session:

• 2 hours per school day and a maximum of 4 hours per week. (EC 49112)

When school is not in session:

• 8 hours per day (LC 1391, 1392)
• 40 hours per week (LC 1391)

Spread of Hours:

• 7 a.m.–7 p.m., except that from
• June 1 through Labor Day, until 9 p.m. (LC 1391)

When uniforms are required by the employer to be worn by the employee as a condition of employment, such uniform shall be provided and maintained by the employer. A uniform includes wearing apparel and accessories of distinctive design or color (i.e. company name imprinted hats, shirts, etc.)

The Federal Government under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has listed 17 hazardous occupations which minors under the age of 18 are prohibited from working in any capacity. There are no exemptions or exceptions. This is a partial list. For a complete listing contact the U.S. Department of Labor.

List of prohibited occupations for minors under the age of 18:

• Serving Alcoholic Beverages

• Motor Vehicle Driving - Minors may not drive on any public highway. This does NOT prohibit a minor from driving on private property (i.e. auto car dealer lot)

• Power-Driven Woodworking Machines

• Exposure To Radioactive Substances- X-Rays

• Power-Drive Hoisting Apparatus-automobile hoist, lift truck, fork lift, elevator, crane, derrick

• Power-Driven Metal-Forming, Punching, Shearing Machines

• Power-Driven Bakery machines - dough sheeter, bread, meat or vegetable slicer, dough mixer

• Power-Drive Paper-Products machines - paper bailers, box crushers

• Power-Driven circular Saws, Band Saws, Guillotine Shears

• Roofing Operations

• Excavation Operations - cannot work in trenches deeper than 4 feet

• Explosives Manufacturing Occupations

• Mining Operations

• Logging and Sawmilling Operations

• Occupations In Slaughtering, Meat Packing and Rendering Plants

• Brick, Tile and Kindred Products Manufacturing

• Wrecking, Demolition and Ship-Breaking Operations

In addition to Federal (FLSA) regulations the State of California prohibits minors under the age of 16 from the following occupations. This is a partial list. For a complete list contact the Dept. of Industrial Relations at 248-8400.

List of prohibited occupations for minors under the age of 16:

• Selling Or Serving Alcoholic Beverages

• Public Messenger Service

• In Hazardous Occupations

• In all building construction work of any kind

• The operation of motor vehicles or service as helpers on such vehicles.

• Cooking/Baking

• In a Pool or Billiard Room

• In the Vicinity of Moving Machinery

• In the Vicinity of Explosives

• In or about Moving Equipment, Aircraft, Vessels

• In or about Gasoline Service Stations

• In Selling to Passing motorists - newspapers, candy, flowers or other merchandise/commodities (C.A.C. 11707)

• All occupations in warehouses except office and clerical work

• In Door-to-Door Selling- candy, cookies, flowers newspapers/magazines subscriptions or other merchandise/commodities unless these conditions are met: (C.A.C. 11706)

1. 1. 1. Minors work in pairs as a team

      2. One adult supervisor for ten or fewer minors

      3. Within sight or sound of supervisor every 15 minutes

      4. Returned to home or rendezvous point daily

All minors must be covered by Workers Compensation including minors employed by parents and minors employed by businesses operating from a private residence.

NOTE: Private homeowners insurance only provides Workers = Compensation coverage for employees performing domestic work, not work performed for your business (L.C. 3700). Call State Workers Compensation fund for information at (916) 463-6201.

• In most cases, minors must be paid at least minimum wage.

• If a student works a split shift, they must be paid one extra hour at the minimum wage.

• If a student reports to work, but is not given work and is sent home, that employee is owed a minimum of two hours pay for their time and trouble. If employees are asked not to clock in, they must be free to leave and cannot be required to wait without being paid, as they are under your direction and control.

All employers must furnish each employee, at the time wages are paid, a separate or detachable itemized statement of deduction. (L.C.226, 226.2) (IRS Circular E-Employers Guide)

CALIFORNIA LABOR LAWS
Department of Industrial Relations Field Office
31 E. Channel Street, Room 318
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 948-7770

FEDERAL LABOR LAWS
FLSA - U.S. Department of Labor Field Office
2981 Fulton Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95821
(916) 979-2040

WORKERS COMPENSATION
State Workers Compensation Insurance
31 E. Channel Street
Stockton, CA 95202
(209) 463-6201​​​