Comparison of State and Federal Child Labor Laws
Many businesses that operate in Indiana also have locations outside the state. Sometimes what meets the requirements of federal Child Labor laws may not necessarily satisfy Indiana's regulations. The following is a brief side-by-side comparison of the similarities and differences between the Indiana state Child Labor laws and those at the federal level. For more information about the federal Child Labor laws, please visit http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/index.htm.
In areas where the laws differ, employers should adhere to whichever law is more stringent which, in nearly all cases, will be Indiana state law.
Hours of Work
| Minor's Age |
Indiana Law |
Federal Law |
| 14-17 | Minors working six or more consecutive hours must receive one or two breaks totaling at least 30 minutes For more information, visit http://www.in.gov/dol/2398.htm#132 |
No similar requirement |
| 14-15 | 3 hours on a School Day 8 hours on a Non-School Day 18 hours per School Week 40 hours per Non-School Week No work before 7:00 AM No work after 7:00 PM (9:00 PM from June 1 through Labor Day) For more information, visit http://www.in.gov/dol/2398.htm#128 |
Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 16 | 8 hours per day 30 hours per week No more than six days during the employer's work week No work before 6:00 AM May only work until 10:00 PM With written Parental Permission: 9 hours per day 40 hours per School Week 48 hours per Non-School Week Until 12:00 AM on nights not followed by a school day For more information, visit http://www.in.gov/dol/2398.htm#129 |
No similar requirement |
| 17 | 8 hours per day 30 hours per week No more than six days during the employer's work week No work before 6:00 AM on school days May only work until 10:00 PM With written Parental Permission: 9 hours per day 40 hours per School Week 48 hours per Non-School Week Until 11:30 PM on nights followed by a school day Until 1:00 AM on nights followed by a school day, but not on consecutive nights and not more than 2 school nights per week May work as late as needed on an night not followed by a school day For more information, visit http://www.in.gov/dol/2398.htm#130 |
No similar requirement |
Posting and Notification Requirements
| Minor's Age |
Indiana Law |
Federal Law |
| 14-17 | Notice must be displayed showing the maximum number of hours a child may be employed or permitted to work each day of the week the hours of beginning and ending each day This poster must be displayed in a conspicuous place in the business or where employee notices are customarily posted This poster is created by the Indiana Department of Labor and may be found at http://www.in.gov/dol/2400.htm | No similar requirement |
| 14-17 | Employers are required to notify minors of their company's break policy and to provide that policy in writing | No similar requirement |
Work Permits
| Minor's Age |
Indiana Law |
Federal Law |
| 14-17 | Nearly all minors 14 through 17 working in Indiana are required to obtain a work permit from an accredited Hoosier school For more information, visit http://www.in.gov/dol/2398.htm#101 |
No similar requirement |
| 14-17 | Employers are required to immediately provide written notice of a minor's separation from employment to the Issuing Officer at the school where the work permit was issued For more information, visit http://www.in.gov/dol/2398.htm#101 |
No similar requirement |
Underage Employment
| Minor's Age |
Indiana Law |
Federal Law |
| under 14 | No minor under age 14 may work in any business in Indiana unless working as a golf caddy, newspaper carrier, domestic service worker (babysitter), actor, performer, model or farm laborer (must be 12 or older) There are no exceptions made under Indiana law for minors working for a parent or person standing in place of a parent in any occupation other than those listed above For more information, visit http://www.in.gov/dol/2398.htm#101 |
Federal requirements are nearly identical, but they provide exceptions for minors working in a business owned entirely by a parent or person standing in place of a parent as long as the minor is not working in manufacturing, mining or any of the 17 hazardous occupations Federal laws also allow minors to work as a homeworker gathering evergreens and making evergreen wreaths |
Prohibited Occupations (Non-Agricultural)
| Minor's Age |
Indiana Law |
Federal Law |
| 14-15 | Manufacturing and working in workrooms where goods are manufactured | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Mining and working in workrooms where goods are mined | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Processing and working in workrooms where goods are processed | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Operating, tending setting up, adjusting, cleaning, oiling or repairing power-driven machinery | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Cooking and Baking | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Work in freezers or meat coolers | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Preparation of meats for sale | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Working in or about boiler or engine rooms | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Maintaining of a building, establishment machines or equipment | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Operating a motor vehicle | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Working as a vehicle helper | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Loading a motor vehicle | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Catching or cooping poultry for transport to sale or to market | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Transportation of people or goods | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Warehousing and storage | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Communications | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Public messenger | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Youth peddling | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Advertising by holding signs, waving banners or wearing costumes | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Construction/Demolition/Repair | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Using ladders, scaffolds or other similar equipment | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
| 14-15 | Outside window washing | Same requirements/ Concurrent jurisdiction |
Indiana state and federal exemptions regarding minors who are exempt by statute or judicial order from attending school past age 14 may be found at http://www.in.gov/dol/2741.htm#1415exempt .
Hazardous Occupations (Non-Agricultural)
*Indiana state and federal exemptions for some of the Hazardous Occupations may be found online at http://www.in.gov/dol/2741.htm#1617exempt .
Hazardous Occupations in Agriculture
Indiana state and federal exemptions from some of the Hazardous Occupations in Agriculture may be found online at http://www.in.gov/dol/2741.htm#agexempt.
