Alabama Child Labor Law

March 19th, 2005 Posted by Sarah

In reviewing the current child labor laws, I learned that Alabama’s child labor law is similar to the federal law in many respects, while placing tighter restrictions on other aspects of minors’ work.

Alabama is one of a number of states that require a work permit for all workers under the age of 18.  Teenagers who have graduated from high school or are married are not exempt – they must get a permit as well.  Even the newspaper carrier needs a permit, and must carry it on his or her person while on the delivery route! Work permits can be obtained from the local board of education or the minor’s school.  Several items are required of the minor who wishes to get a work permit, including proof of age, a statement from a parent, and a statement from his or her prospective employer.

The state law in Alabama regulating the work hours of 14 and 15 year olds is very similar to the federal child labor law. While school is in session, minors of this age may not work during school hours.  They are allowed to work up to three hours per day on school days, but this work must be between the hours of 7am and 7pm. The total hours per week must not exceed 18.  While school is not in session during the summer months, a 14 or 15 year old minor may work between 7am and 9pm.  However, a minor of this age may still work no more than 40 hours per week during the summer months.

While federal law does not place any restrictions on the work hours of 16 and 17 year old minor employees, Alabama child labor law does place some restrictions.  A 16 or 17 year old who is enrolled in a secondary school may not work earlier than 5am or later than 10pm on any night preceding a school day.  No other restrictions are placed on the work hours of minors this age.

Finally, as in most other states, Alabama’s child labor law places restrictions on the types of jobs that minors may hold.  Minors under the age of 16 may not be employed in any manufacturing environments, and are restricted in some aspects of they job duties in other environments – for example, they are very limited in the types of cooking they may perform.  Any minor under the age of 18 is also prohibited from being employed in over two dozen hazardous environments, including mining, meatpacking, logging and roofing. 

All child labor laws pertaining to Alabama can be found alongside the federal laws on the Alabama Complete Labor Law posters.

2 Comments >> Posted in Alabama,Alabama,Child Labor Laws,Compliance Issues

Indiana Unemployment Insurance

March 9th, 2005 Posted by Jane

I understand that unemployment insurance is a partial, temporary replacement of income to employees who lose their jobs or work less than full time through no fault of their own. Employees must report immediately to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development to qualify.

The basic requirements for collecting unemployment are that an employee must: 

  • Have been employed. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development publishes requirements for wages earned or time worked during an established period of time referred to as a “base period.”
  • Be determined to be unemployed through no fault of their own as defined under Indiana law. If an employee lost a job through no fault of their own because of a plant closure, layoff, natural disaster to the workplace, or other situation, they are, in most cases, eligible for unemployment compensation. Workers are not eligible to receive unemployment insurance benefits if they quit a job or were fired for misconduct. Self-employed persons, independent contractors, casual employees, and farm workers are not covered.
  • File ongoing claims and respond to questions concerning continued eligibility. Workers must report any earnings from work and any job offers or refusal of work during any claim period.

Employees are entitled to receive between $50 and $390, depending on how much they made during their 12-month base period.

All claims for unemployment benefits are in effect for a 52-week period called a benefit year, according to my research. However, the maximum number of weeks full benefits are paid is 26, with some claims having fewer weeks. 

No deductions are made from employees’ pay for unemployment insurance. This employer pays this tax. Employers are required to post a notice of unemployment insurance benefits in their workplace.

12 Comments >> Posted in Employee Benefits,Indiana,Unemployment Insurance

Kentucky Labor Law Board

March 5th, 2005 Posted by Kimberly

The Kentucky labor board is a governing board that helps in the management and the enforcement of the labor laws of the state.  The board takes into consideration many of the needs of the worker as well as the employer within the state of Kentucky.  They insure that the employees will get fair training and pay.  The board’s goal is to provide for a work environment that is positive, free from conflict and offers the right benefits and tools for the employee. 

If you find yourself in need of help, the Department of Labor has many benefits that can help you in finding solutions to your needs.  The Kentucky labor board offers many pieces of help to those that are looking for work.  Many areas of the state are facing job loses as part of the economic decline in many smaller areas.  Nevertheless, the state offers many tools to aid those that are looking for help in getting back into the workforce. 

The Department of Labor’s labor board has the ability to provide a good amount of information as well as keys to aiding those that need work, businesses that need employees as well as provides for governing the laws of the land as far as the workforce goes. 

If you need help with such aspects as worker’s safety, worker’s compensation claims, help with standards that need to be enforced in the workplace or help with medication and relations with employees or employers, the Kentucky labor board is the place to go for that help.  Currently the state is conducting a survey and doing hearings with the possibility of raising the minimum wage of the state.  They are also working on getting more jobs to be created within the state.  These are all things that are necessary for those that live in Kentucky and you can count on finding out what happens through the Department of Labor.

Detailed information regarding specific Kentucky labor laws can be found on the Kentucky Complete Labor Law poster.

127 Comments >> Posted in Compliance Issues,Employer Requirements,Kentucky,Labor Law Regulations

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