Indiana Child Labor Laws

Indiana child labor laws regulate when, for how long, and at what jobs teens can work. According to my research, all teens 14, 15, 16 and 17 years of age must have a work permit before they can begin work. However, a work permit is not required if the teen has graduated from high school or has received a (GED) diploma.

During school, 14 and 15 year-olds may work 3 hours a day, 18 hours a week, from 7am – 7pm, as long as it doesn’t interfere with their school attendance. 16 and 17 year-olds may work 8 hours a day, 30 hours a week (with a max of 6 days a week) from 6:00am-10:00pm, again if it doesn’t affect school attendance.

On holidays and weekends, 14 and 15 year-olds may work 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week, from 7am – 7pm. 16 and 17 year-olds may work 8 hours a day, 30 hours a week (with a max of 6 days a week) from 6:00am-10:00pm, again if it doesn’t affect school attendance.

I understand that most Indiana employers must provide one or two breaks totaling 30 minutes to teens under the age of 18 who are scheduled to work six or more consecutive hours. The law exempts from this requirement: farm laborers, domestic service workers, golf caddies, newspaper carriers, teens that have completed an approved vocational or special education program, and teens that have withdrawn from school.

Indiana law forbids the employment of minors in the following occupations:

• 14 and 15 Years of Age cannot work in manufacturing, mining, public around hazardous materials, occupations requiring driving, construction, heavy machinery, and most warehouse jobs.
• Teens 16 and 17 years of age cannot work around explosives, coal mining, logging, radioactive materials, power-driven machinery, slaughterhouses, demolition, roofing and excavation.
• Student-learners, 16 and 17 years of age, who are enrolled in a cooperative vocational training program may be exempt from these specific prohibited occupations.

Under Indiana’s child labor laws, warnings are issued and penalties are assessed for employer violations of the law. Any employer found violating Indiana’s child labor laws may be assessed civil penalties.

All employers employing minors must post the Notice of Teen Worker Hour Restrictions. This form must be posted in a conspicuous place or in the area where notices to employees are normally posted.