Youth Hiring Guidelines

Published: September 5th, 2000

Category: Memos

Larry T. Ellis, Director

As you consider hiring individuals under 18 years of age, please be aware that federal and state laws impose specific restrictions involving workplace hours and conditions.

  • The Department of Labor has identified certain non-farm jobs that are prohibited for minors under 18 such as driving a motor vehicle and being an outside helper on a motor vehicle; exposure to radioactive substances and to ionizing radiation; power-driven wood-working or metal-forming machines*; power-driven paper-product machines*; power-driven circular saws, band saws, and guillotine shears*; and roofing operations. (*Limited exemptions are provided for apprentices and student-learners under specified standards.)
  • Under Florida law, the allowable work hours for individuals 14 and 15 years old are: 15 hours a week when school is in session; three hours a day between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. if school is scheduled the next day; eight hours a day between 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on days when there isn’t school the next day; and 40 hours a week during the summer and holidays.
  • Under Florida law, the allowable work hours for individuals 16 and 17 years old are: 30 hours a week when school is in session; eight hours a day between 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. if school is scheduled the next day; and no restriction on work hours during vacations, holidays, or when school is not scheduled the next day.

The details of these restrictions are itemized on the following web sites:

To verify compliance with these restrictions, a certification form is required to be completed and included in the appointment packet when hiring an individual under 18. This form is available at the following web site:

University of Florida Child Labor Law Certification for Employees Under 18 Form http://www.ups.ufl.edu/employment/cert_childlabor_under18.pdf.

Should you have any questions, please contact Central Employment at 392-4621, SC 622-4621, or send e-mail to employment@ufl.edu.

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