Child-Labor Laws and go the Hospitality

Abstract

State and federal regulations covering employees under age 18 are specific, and state labor-department officials have tightened enforcement. Ironically, many hospitality-industry operators remain unfamiliar with labor-law provisions and risk large fines. No one under the age of 18 may be hired for a hazardous position, defined primarily as work that involves operation of machinery, including motor vehicles. Children aged 14 and 15 may not work more than 18 hours per week during the school year and may not work past 7:00 PM on school nights. Time regulations are slightly less stringent during summer vacation and school recesses. While the National Restaurant Association is encouraging the government to ease child-labor restrictions, child-labor groups are trying to tighten the law.