The summer is usually the time that businesses will employ children age 14 and over.  However, the regulations governing the employment of minors have changed.

Under the new Child Labor Reform Act, work permits will no longer be required for each minor employed.  In its place, employers will be required to purchase a Certificate:  Class I is required to employ minors 14 to 15 years of age and Class II for employees 16 to 17 years.

Every business must have a certificate on display for the appropriate age groups they hire. The certificate can be applied for online for a fee of $15.00 per certificate.  Annual renewal is required.

Additionally, schools will still issue an “eligibility to work” form certifying that students under 16 have satisfactory grades and attendance in order to be employed. 

The employer must keep the school form in the minor’s personnel file.

Other items in the file must include date of hire, proof of age, school attendance, number of hours worked daily documenting starting and ending times, and break times.

The new law does not allow for these 2 age groups to perform certain job responsibilities.  A limit on the number of hours worked as well as designated times is also found in the law.

There are exceptions if the minor is a member of the immediate family who owns the business.

If you are considering hiring youth during the summer, be sure to visit the Alabama Labor Department website at www.labor.alabama.gov.  Information is also available at the Chamber office, 300 Gault Avenue, North.