California’s Child Labor Laws: 8 Key Things to Know

California's Child Labor Laws: 8 Key Things to Know

Navigating California’s child labor laws is essential for employers, parents, and minors. This comprehensive guide explores key features, including legal working age, job restrictions, work permit requirements, and the importance of school attendance.

It also delves into special rules for the entertainment industry and highlights workplace rights for minors.

This knowledge ensures informed decisions, compliance with legislation, and safeguards for minors in the workforce.

1. The legal working age is 14

In California, typically, the legal working age is established at 14 years old. However, the state’s labor laws do provide some exceptions, allowing minors under 14 to work certain jobs. These jobs often include odd jobs, babysitting, self-employment, and paper routes.

In the agricultural sector, if employed by a parent or guardian, minors can also participate in work activities.

A distinct feature of California’s child labor laws is the special provision for the entertainment industry. Even at a very young age, minors can become child actors, provided they have a work permit. This shows the state’s flexibility in implementing child labor laws, recognizing the unique requirements of the entertainment industry while ensuring the protection of minors.

2. Minors under 14 can still work some jobs

Continuing from the established legal working age, it’s significant to note that California labor laws do permit minors under 14 to engage in certain types of employment. Despite the legal working age being 14, minors under this age can still work some jobs. These roles typically include independent or odd jobs such as babysitting, newspaper delivery, or any form of self-employment.

Furthermore, minors under 14 can work in the agricultural sector given that they are employed by a parent or guardian. Another notable exception under these laws is for child actors, who can work by acquiring a work permit.

It is essential, however, that these employment opportunities do not interfere with the child’s education, health, and well-being.

3. Minors under 18 cannot work certain jobs

Despite the aforementioned permissions, it’s crucial to understand that numerous prohibitions are in place for minors under 18 when it comes to employment in certain industries.

Hazardous Industries:

Dangerous Occupations:

Age Restrictions:

4. To work, minors need to get a California work permit

Transitioning from prohibitions to permissions, it’s essential to highlight that a significant majority of minors seeking employment in California are required to obtain a work permit. Work permit requirements for minors in California entail certain procedures. Minors need to file a Statement of Intent to Employ Minor and Request for Work Permit, signed by a parent or legal guardian. The request is then sent to the school district office for approval.