Speak Up! - View Question #185

« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #185

Question: What are the laws concerning jobs for 13-year olds?

Answer: The Fair Labor Standards Act states that the minimum age for employment is 14 years old. A 14-year old that is a full-time student would be allowed to work in a retail establishment as long as the employer has obtained certifications from the Department of Labor. A business could be fined $10,000 for hiring someone under the age of 14. The age requirements for agricultural employment are slightly different.


Comments
736 thru 740 of 2113 comments
On 06/13/05
elizabeth from MA said:
I dont think that its fair at all..Im 13 and i CAN NOT find a job. Its awful this summer is coming in like 8 days. and i cant find anything. I need something to keep me out in the day time instead of sitting at home..and i need it now !! And i need the money..its awful. I think that as soon as you turn 13 you are allowed to work at least a SUMMER job. my god its awful.
On 06/13/05
Roxy from Othr said:
Hey that's so not fair why 14? It costs alot of money being a teenager so we should be able to have a job once we turn 13 and I don't see what's so different about the maturity in a 13 year old and a 14 year old.
On 06/12/05
Allen from Othr said:
I am 13 and I want to pay and be resposible for my own things at this age. When I want something I want to be able to have cash on me to pay for it. Whether it be a puppy to a gift for my mom I want to earn manoey and save or spend it. PLUS the gifts to my parents are are strange to be paid with their money. I want a JOB!
On 06/12/05
Jikia Wallace from LA said:
we need to lower the range to 13 years old because that is not fair because some older people do not want to get off there and do nothing but us 13 years old want a job ya'll don't want to do it we probably have more strenght then them so if ya'll just give us a chance i bet we will do just find
On 06/12/05
nicole from NC said:
I know I'm not 13,but I was in Jan. and adults put these laws in place to protect us from harm. In the past kids who were five years old had to go to work to help support their families and later when they became an adult wanted an education instead of working all their lives in a factory. We should be happy with what we have, because chances are any person who hires someone so young has a job no adult wants to do!
736 thru 740 of 2113 comments



Read more about the law and
Related Stories
Related Laws
    • No laws found!
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #185