Hiring Minors

The following are general standards that are designed to protect minors under the age of 18 and prohibit employment in jobs that are detrimental to minors' education, health and well-being. Before employing anyone under the age 18 ("minor"), contact your HR Manager to ensure that you are in compliance with Child Labor Laws.

Work Permits and Parental Permission

No minor may be employed without a work permit issued by the school district in which the minor resides. For minors residing outside of Pennsylvania, a work permit may be obtained from the school district in which the employer is located. A copy of the work permit should be forwarded to Human Resources prior to employment, and a second copy should be placed in the employee's departmental personnel file.

For minors under the age of 16, a written statement by the minor's parents or legal guardian acknowledging the hours and duties of employment and granting permission for the minor to work under such conditions is also required. Prior to the commencement of employment, the hiring department must complete a Parental Acknowledgement Form [pdf] for signature by the minor's parents or legal guardian. No minor under the age of 16 may commence employment without a work permit and an executed Parental Acknowledgement Form.

Minors employed as performers must also obtain an entertainment permit [pdf] from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor.

Notice Requirements

The Pennsylvania Child Labor Law requires employers to provide written notice to the school district official who issued the minor's work permit within five days of the minor starting employment; within five days of any change in employment duties; and within five days of termination of employment.

The notice to the school district within five days of the start of employment must contain the following information:

• The normal duties and hours of the minor;
• The age of the minor;
• The minor's work permit number.

Departments should work with their HR Manager to ensure that the appropriate notices are submitted to the minor's school district.

Hours of Employment

*Note: Although minors age 16–17 are permitted to work up to a maximum 48 hours/week, the minor may refuse to work beyond 44 hours/week.

Minors age 16–17 who have graduated from high school or who are exempt from compulsory attendance under the Public School Code are not subject to the restrictions on hours of employment or work time. However, these minors are still subject to requirements relating to work permits and hazardous employment.

Hazardous Employment

In general, there may be a prohibition under the Child Labor Laws if the job entails any dangerous activity, machinery other than typical office equipment, contact with alcoholic beverages, driving, or strenuous physical activity. Your HR Manager can evaluate a job position description to determine compliance with child labor standards.

Wages & Internships

Except as described below, all minors must be paid at least a minimum wage, and minors may not work as unpaid interns or volunteers.

Minors age 16–17 may work as unpaid interns if all of the following requirements are satisfied:

1. The internship is approved or sponsored by the minor's high school or school district;
2. The minor will receive academic credit from his/her school for the internship;
3. The internship has been approved by the director of the Leonard Gelfand Center and all faculty and staff members responsible for the intern have obtained appropriate clearances for working with minors.

Minors working as unpaid interns must also satisfy all of the requirements described above relating to work permits, parental authorization forms, hours of work, and restrictions on hazardous employment.