labor lawAdivision of labor law center

For employers, being ignorant of child labor law in their state can have unpleasant consequences.  Recently, a prominent Alabama employer pleaded guilty to 3 counts of violation of Alabama’s child labor laws. He had unknowingly allowed 3 underage employees to work until 9 p.m.

Employers need to be aware of the child labor law in their states. According to Jim Bennett, Alabama Commissioner of Labor, all minors under the age of 18 must have a work permit to be employed in Alabama. Youths ages 14 and 15 cannot work after 7 p.m. during the week, or more than 18 hours per week total. Youths ages 16, 17 and 18 who are enrolled in high school cannot work past 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. All of this information and more, is included on the child labor law poster.

Child labor laws vary greatly from state to state. In Alabama, for example, youths ages 14 and 15 can work no more than 18 hours per week during the school year. In Texas, youths aged 14 or 15 may work up to 48 hours per week during the school year.

Many states require that employers display a child labor law poster. Referring to the poster is a great way for employers and employees alike to get answers to their questions on child labor law. Subscribing to a poster service is the best way to assure that posters are always up to date. The posters are revised every year when child labor law changes. Each poster addresses a specific area of labor law. The posters prominently feature phone numbers employees can call if they believe their rights have been violated.

The child labor law poster ensures that employers are meeting federal and state regulations by having current posters on display in a conspicuous place at the job site. Both federal and state laws make various posters mandatory. To ensure that every employee sees them, a popular location is the employee break area. Sometimes the posters are displayed near the time clock or in another “employees only” area for maximum visibility. The posters inform employers and employees of their rights and responsibilities under the law. 

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1. Posted by: Alabama Child Labor Violations - Labor Law Center Blog

   [...] In one  very high-profile case in recent years, the general manager of a Montgomery Visionland franchise pled guilty to three counts of violating the stat’s child labor law. In that case, three young people under the age of 16 worked past 9 pm. The state laws require that youths aged 14 and 15 finish work by 7 pm during the school year and 9 pm during the summer months, when school is not in session. [...]