Washington Child Labor Laws
Child labor laws in Washington are designed to protect the rights of minors and ensure they are not employed in dangerous or exploitative conditions. Washington state has several specific regulations that employers must adhere to on issues such as hours worked, wages paid, and permissible types of jobs for minors. It is important for both parents and employers to be familiar with these rules so that children can be protected from hazardous working conditions or unfair treatment.
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) enforces child labor laws in the state. They mandate that no one under 14 years old can work outside the home, with limited exceptions such as newspaper delivery, babysitting, and performing in a theatrical production.
Child Labor Laws in Washington For Minors Under 14
Child labor is a major issue in Washington and across the country, especially for minors under the age of 14. In Washington, there are several laws in place that protect minors from being subjected to hazardous working conditions. For starters, it’s illegal for employers to hire any person under the age of 14. Additionally, when minors are allowed to work they must be accompanied by an adult at all times while on shift and they cannot work longer than 3 hours a day or 18 hours a week.
Furthermore, children aged 14-15 can only work between 7am-7pm with no more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week; 16-17 year olds can only work until 9pm with no more than 8 hours per day or 48 hours per week; while those 18 years old and above have no restrictions regarding their working hours.
Child Labor Laws in Washington For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old
Washington state has strict laws in place regarding the employment of minors. Children under fourteen years old may not be employed at all, while those between fourteen and fifteen years old may only work in certain specified roles and conditions.
To ensure that young workers are protected, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries enforces a number of restrictions on businesses hiring minors. These include limits on the type of jobs they can take, when they can work, and how many hours per day or week minors are allowed to work. Furthermore, employers must seek permission from the parent or guardian before employing any child under eighteen.
By law, young employees must also receive equal pay for equal work as adult workers, regardless of their age or experience level. All employers must also provide their minor employees with breaks throughout their shift to ensure a safe working environment for everyone involved.
Child Labor Laws in Washington For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old
Child labor laws in Washington state protect minors 16 and 17 years old from being taken advantage of by employers. By law, these minors cannot be employed in hazardous conditions or during school hours. Employers must also provide them with regular rest periods, record of hours worked and pay stubs, and overtime wages at 1.5 times their normal rate for any time over 40 hours in a single week.
It’s important for parents to understand the law when it comes to their children working part-time jobs. Minors 16 and 17 can only work 8 hours a day, 6 days per week (or 48 hours total). They are not allowed to work before 7 am or after 7 pm on school nights, or before 9 am or after 11:30 pm on non-school nights.
Jobs That Minors Can Do In Washington
Washington is home to a variety of job opportunities for minors. From retail and food service positions to summer camps and athletic programs, there are many ways young people can gain valuable work experience while earning money.
Working as minors in Washington state can help teach teens responsibility, build confidence, and provide financial independence. Not only do these jobs help develop transferable skills like customer service and communication, but they also give minors the opportunity to network with professionals in their field of interest. Plus, working helps young people gain an understanding of the value of money – teaching them how to budget wisely for future expenses.
Minors often find employment through family members or friends who own businesses or know someone looking for an employee; however, many jobs are available in industries such as hospitality that don’t require previous experience or special qualifications.
- Babysitting
- Lawn mowing
- Pet sitting/walking
- Newspaper delivery
- Car washing/detailing
- House cleaning
- Grocery bagging
- Dishwashing
- Retail sales associate
- Tutoring
Hazardous Jobs For Teens In Washington As Child Labor Laws
Working as a teen in Washington is an exciting opportunity, but it comes with certain restrictions to keep teens safe. All states, including Washington, have laws that protect minors from hazardous working conditions and unsafe jobs. Known as child labor laws, these regulations limit the types of work teenagers can do and the number of hours they are allowed to work each week.
Washington’s child labor laws are some of the most stringent in the United States. For example, teens under 16 years old may not work more than four hours on a school day or five hours on a non-school day. Additionally, they may not be employed in any occupation deemed hazardous by the U.S. Department of Labor – such as mining, manufacturing explosives or operating heavy machinery – without special permission from the state’s department of labor and industries.
- Manufacturing explosives
- Coal mining
- Logging and sawmilling
- Operating power-driven woodworking machines
- Meatpacking or processing plants
- Roofing and all work on or about a roof
- Excavation work, including trenching and digging
- Operating power-driven hoisting equipment
- Demolition work
- Any work that involves exposure to radioactive substances