labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Due to the cases when child labor and other laws over-lap and supersede on a federal and state level, it becomes necessary to discuss the state laws to help employer’s limit liability. So I thought I would take a second today and discuss some of the special laws regulating child labor in Alabama.

First, all employer’s in the state of Alabama must have their under-age prospects apply and have on file a permit for all employee’s they plan on giving work, whom are under the age of 18. This applies all year long. The law is broke down into two age groups, so let us discuss them separately.

Ages 14-15. During the school season, adolescents in this age group cannot work more than three hours on a school day. During the summer month’s, when school is not in session*, adolescents can work 7A to 9P, but no more than 40 hours in one week.

Ages 16-17-18** While I didn’t find an hour break down specifically for teens in this group, I would think it would mimic the above, except for the hours of day they can work, which is, instead of 7A to 9P, it is 5A to 10P.

I am also a little confused, admittedly, because it is including 18 year olds in this group. Federal law mandates that in the cases where federal and state laws differ, the law which affords the youth the most protection would be the law acknowledged. But the clincher is, 18 year olds are not youth according to federal law. Now, I am not saying to break the law, but I just thought this was peculiar and that is the only opinion I am expressing! Now, I must mention that it says that if a student in this age group is finished with high school, then they can work any hours, but they cannot work just any job.

Therefore, let us now discuss the positions youth may work. (Youth defined under 18 remember) I am taking this from the Alabama’s State Government’s site: [14-15 Year Olds.] “…can work in an office, grocery store, retail store, restaurant, movie theater, or amusement park.” [16-17-18** Year Olds] “…can work in any job that is not hazardous. Prohibited jobs include work in mining, logging, meatpacking, roofing, excavation or demolition.”

[16-17-18** Year Olds] “…can not drive a car or forklift. Also, you can not work with explosives, radioactive materials or most power-driven saws or machines.”

*Other states (And the Federal Youth rules! Initiative) clarify that they can work up to eight hours on a non-school day, which may mean during holiday breaks, such as spring break.

** “Once a youth reaches 18 years of age, he or she is no longer subject to the Federal youth employment laws“ This is taken from the Department of Labor‘s Website. I rest my case your honor!.

Last 10 posts by John

• Nevada's possible increase in Minimum Wage. - July 17th, 2006
• Arkansas?s New Minimum Wage Law - July 10th, 2006
• Alaska's Workers' Compensation Law - May 26th, 2006
• Alaska's Unemployment law - May 2nd, 2006
• Alabama's Unemployment law - April 2nd, 2006
• Michigan?s New Minimum Wage. - March 26th, 2006
• Alaska's Sexual Harassment laws - March 22nd, 2006
• District of Columbia Minimum Wage Rates. - March 10th, 2006
• Rhode Island's New Minimum Wage. - March 1st, 2006
• Alabama's Worker's Compensation Fraud Policies. - February 18th, 2006