Different rules apply when you employ minors in your office

UW departments that employ minors (children between 14 and 17 years of age) must follow regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). The UW Staff Employment Office provides information about minor-employment regulations. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:

Our department is hiring a minor employee; do we need a minor work permit?

No. The UW has a work permit exemption as a Washington State institution and public employer.

What forms or files are required?

You will need to prepare a job description and work schedule, obtain proof of age, and complete a Parent/School Authorization Form (available from http://www.washington.edu/admin/uwjobs/hire/minor.employ.htmlor Staff Employment, 543-2076). All these materials should be kept in your departmental personnel file.

Are there special conditions for minor employment?

Yes. Regulations affect minors’ work hours, wages, duties, and breaks:

Work Hours. Regulations differ for 14- to 15-year-olds and 16- to 17-year-olds.

The younger minors are limited to three hours of work on school days, eight hours on other days, 16 hours a week during the school year, and 40 hours a week when school is out of session. Older minors can work four hours on most school days, eight hours Friday through Sunday, 20 hours a week, and up to 48 hours a week when school is out. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds can also apply for a special variance allowing them to work up to 28 hours a week during the school year.

Wages. Washington State minimum wage for minors is $5.70/hour.

Duties. Minors are prohibited from performing certain hazardous duties, such as handling hazardous substances or doing work that requires protective equipment; operating vehicles, power machinery or earth-moving equipment; and doing excavation, flagging, cooking and baking, roofing or window washing.

Breaks. Minors must have a 30-minute meal break for every four hours of work and a 10-minute rest break for every two hours of work.

Do minor employment regulations apply to UW students?

Yes. UW students under age 18 are covered by the same regulations.

You must keep the same forms and documentation on file. However, some exemptions to work hours and duty restrictions may apply to 16- and 17-year-olds or those who are registered in bona fide college courses, married, parents or emancipated under Washington State law.

What about enforcement and penalties for violations?

Enforcement agencies periodically audit employers for compliance. If DOL and L&I regulations differ, the stricter standard applies; violations are subject to substantial fines and penalties. Both civil penalties (up to $10,000) and criminal penalties can be assessed for each violation. In serious cases, a Class C felony or gross misdemeanor charge may be filed.

If your department employs, or plans to employ, minor workers, visit http://www.washington.edu/admin/uwjobs/hire/minor.employ.html or contact Staff Employment (543-2076) for an information packet and copies of any necessary forms. Information on employing minors is also available in the UW Operations Manual (D 44.3).

The Staff Employment Office is a division of Human Resources. ¶