EMPLOYING TEENAGERS IN MICHIGAN

This guide is for employers who hire teenage workers.  Every employer who hires young workers should know that in general:

• A teenager must be at least 14 years old for most occupations unless exempt from the Youth Employment Standards Act.
• A work permit is required unless the teenager is exempt from the act, or employed in corn detasseling.
• Teenagers may be employed in most jobs except those considered hazardous.
• Teenage workers are entitled to a break or rest period.

WHO IS COVERED BY THE ACT

• Workers under 18 years of age, including volunteers and performing artists.

WHO IS NOT COVERED BY THE ACT

• 16 and 17-year-olds who have completed requirements for high school graduation.
• 17-year-olds who have passed the GED test.
• Emancipated minors (e.g. married teenagers).
• Students 14 years old and older working under a work-study contract between an employer and a school district that provides supervision.
• Domestic workers at private residences.
• Minors who sell, distribute or offer for sale, newspapers, magazines, periodicals, political or advertising material.
• Shoe shiners.
• Members of recognized youth organizations (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, etc.) who perform fundraising work.
• Teenagers working in businesses owned and operated by their parents.
• Workers who plant, cultivate or harvest crops or raise livestock on farms.
• Teenagers employed in a school, academy or college where the worker age 14-17 is a student.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• 11 year olds and those older may work as golf caddies, athletic event referees and bridge caddies, under specific conditions.
• 13 year olds and those older may work as corn detasselers and at trap shooting events.

WORK PERMITS

Teenage workers who are not exempt must have a work permit before beginning work.  Work permits are available form most schools or their administrative offices.  The process is as follows:

• The employer completes Part I of the work permit listing the teenager's name, occupation, hours of work and rate of pay.
• The teenager completes Part II and takes the work permit to the school for completion by the issuing officer.
• The issuing officer at the school approves the work permit.
• The teenager gives the work permit to the employer before starting work and the employer keeps the work permit on file.  If the teenager changes jobs, a new work permit is required for the new employer.  A work permit may be revoked for poor academic performance.  A work permit is required even if the minor does not attend school.

TYPES OF WORK

Minors 14 - 17 covered by the act may be employed in jobs that are not hazardous.

• Teenagers 14 - 17 may work in businesses where alcoholic beverages are sold as long as the sale of food or other goods is at least 50 percent of gross sales.  Teenagers under the age of 18 cannot sell, serve or furnish alcoholic beverages.  For information on Liquor Control Commission regulations concerning selling and serving alcoholic beverages call 517-322-1370.
• Teenagers covered by the Act may not work in any occupation determined to be hazardous.

Some examples of hazardous work include:

• Contact with hazardous substances, chemicals, explosives or radioactive substances.
• Driving and work as an outside helper (pizza delivery, etc.).
• Jobs in the logging and sawmill industry.
• Brazing, welding, soldering or heat treating, for those under 16 years of age.
• Work on construction sites, excavation sites, bridges, streets or highways.
• Slaughtering, butchering and meat cutting.
• Occupations involving power driven equipment, tools, saws, or machinery (bakery machines, paper product machines, metal-forming, punching and shearing machines).
• 16 and 17 year olds may do construction work under approved conditions.

Special approval for some restricted work for 16 and 17 year olds may be authorized.  Employers must apply for special approval to the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services, Wage and Hour Division.

HOURS

• Combined hours of school and work cannot exceed 48 hours
• A teenager may not work more than six days in a week.
• 14 and 15 year olds may not work after 9 p.m. or before 7 a.m.
• 14 and 15 year olds may not work during school hours.
• 16 and 17 year olds may work between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. when school is in session and between 6 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. during school vacations or when not enrolled in school.
• Special hours apply to workers in agricultural processing.  Guideline are available from the Wage and Hour Division.  Approval may be granted for 16 and 17 year olds to work beyond the hours specified in the Youth Employment Standards Act.  Approvals may be obtained form the Wage and Hour Division.  No deviations are allowed for 14 and 15 year olds.

SUPERVISION

A minor may not be employed unless th3e employer or another employee 18 years of age or older provides supervision.

Special penalties apply for employing minors in occupations involving cash transactions after sunset or 8:00 p.m. without required supervision.

Supervision means being on the premises to direct and control the work of minors and to assist in case of an emergency.  Generally this requires the supervisor to be within sight and sound of the minor.

Regular rest periods are encouraged.

A minor may not work more than 5 hours without a 30 minute, uninterrupted break.

RECORDS AN EMPLOYER MUST KEEP

• The work permit or verification of exemption from the Act.
• The number of hours a teenager works each day with starting and ending times.  These records must be kept for one year.
• Approved deviation and parent /guardian permission to work deviated hours or a restricted occupation.
• Other records requested by the Department, e.g., beginning and ending times of meal/rest periods.

WAGES

• Wages must be paid on a regular basis, weekly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly or monthly.
• Minors under 18 years of age may be paid 85% of the minimum hourly wage rate effective October 1, 2006.

This guide is intended for general information only.  It does not include all of the provisions of Act 90, Public Acts of 1978.

For additional information contact:

Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services
Wage and Hour Division
7150 Harris Dr, Box 30476
Lansing  MI  48909-7976

517-322-1825

Many Michigan employers and their employees, under 18 years of age, are subject to federal rules and regulations.  For information about federal regulation contact the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.  616-456-2004