Avoid expensive penalties. Set up your YES account today.
Indiana has eliminated work permits completely, and now requires all employers with five or more employees 14- to 17-years-of-age to begin using the Indiana Department of Labor’s Youth Employment System (YES) to track and report 14- to 17-year-old employees.
YES is simple and easy to use. Employers can access the app via their smart device, such as your smartphone or tablet, as well as their desktop or laptop. Once they’ve set up their employer profile, they can enter data about 14- to 17-year-old employees – name, age and hire date – within minutes.
The system will not impact the state’s work-hour requirement for 14- through 17-year-olds, and all employers must still comply with the Teens Work Hour restrictions and Prohibited and Hazardous Occupation restrictions for minors.
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SYSTEM FAQs
Does Indiana require work permits?
Indiana no longer requires work permits for 14- through 17-years-old employees. However, any Indiana employer who employs five or more employees between 14- and 17-years-of-age must register the 14- to 17-years-old employees in the Youth Employment System (YES).
What is YES?
YES stands for the "Youth Employment System," a new registration system mandated by Indiana Code 22-2-18.1-26.
Who can use YES?
All Indiana employers who employ five or more employees 14- to 17-years-old MUST register in YES.
What type of information must employers register in YES?
Employers will be required to provide corporate and individual location information, as well as information about any employees between 14- and 17-years-of-age. Upon termination, the employer must remove the 14- to 17-year-old employee from YES.
What if our organization employs less than five 14- to 17-year-old employees?
Employers who employ four or fewer 14- to 17-year-old employees are not required to use the new system but have the option to register.
Is there a penalty for not using YES?
Yes. The Indiana Department of Labor’s Youth Employment Division may assess penalties for employer noncompliance.
What is the penalty for noncompliance?
Penalties can be assessed for:
- Failure to use YES to register 14- to 17-year-old employees
- Failure to remove a 14- to 17-year-old employee from the system once employment ends
- Failure to correct the number of 14- to 17-year-old employees in YES
Penalties range from $100 to $400, depending on the noncompliance infraction.
Does this new requirement eliminate the work-hour requirements?
No. The system and registration requirement will not impact the state’s work-hour requirement for 14- to 17-year-old employees, and all employers must still comply with the Teens Work Hour restrictions.
Do 14- to 17-year-old employees need any documentation from their school, to share with their employer?
No. Schools will no longer be responsible for tracking and registering 14- to 17-year-old employees in Indiana.
That responsibility will become the legal obligation of the employer.
Where can I get training to use YES?
For more information or training, please e-mail YouthEmployment@dol.IN.gov
Who can my organization speak to about a presentation or information session about YES and the new requirement?
We welcome the opportunity to speak with organizations, associations, chambers of commerce, etc. about YES. For a presentation or information session,
please e-mail Youthemployment@dol.in.gov