Ohio Child Labor Laws: A Comprehensive Guide

There are several reasons why a child or a minor might need to work in the U.S., especially in a state like Ohio with a large economy. These could be collecting educational funds, gaining experience and enhancing skills like communication, supporting family or health emergencies, or earning extra income to safeguard their future. 

Irrespective of the reasons, while child labor is generally restricted, there are certain allowances in state and federal child labor laws that govern how employers follow child labor rules and restrictions when employing a minor. 

For instance, in Ohio, a 14-year-old can legally work—but only under specific conditions and limitations governing factors like working hours and type of job. 

Child labor regulations are more than just rules—they protect young workers from exploitation and allow them to balance school and work. 

This article explores labor laws for minors in Ohio—age restrictions, jobs off-limits, and several other critical aspects every employer, parent, and teenager in Ohio should know. So, let’s begin! 

History and Evolution of Child Labor Laws in Ohio

In the 19th century, much like other states in the United States, Ohio saw a surge in child labor—thanks to industrialization. Establishments like mills, mines, and factories with often dangerous occupations employed children as young as 8 or 9 years old, making them work in harsh conditions for long hours. 

This resulted in several public reform movements and outrage, demanding groundwork to change these practices and ensure the safety of children. 

Here are some of these movements and key milestones of the Ohio law for minors:

1877: Ohio’s first child labor law

This law restricted children under 14 from working in industries like factories and mines and limited their working hours to 10 hours per day. 

1961: Federal Intervention 

This act represented the first federal attempt to regulate child labor, inspiring Ohio to strengthen its own child labor laws. However, this act was overturned within two years. 

1938: The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

This law was established nationwide and included conditions like minimum working age and restrictions for minors on hazardous occupations. Ohio adjusted its laws and child labor reforms to align with these federal regulations. 

1970s: Reforms prioritizing education and work balance

In the 1970s, several amendments were made to Ohio’s labor laws, prioritizing the importance of education with tightened work-hour restrictions for minors during school hours. 

Present day reforms

Ohio continues to upgrade and revise its child labor reforms to reflect modern industries and work environments. 

Let’s learn more about the present-day Ohio law for minors.

Current Child Labor Laws in Ohio 

Ohio’s current child labor regulations outlined in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) protect the safety and well-being of minors in Ohio while allowing them to work, earn, and gain valuable experience. 

These regulations consist of certain rules and restrictions regarding the minor’s age, working hours, jobs permitted, etc. Let’s take a closer look at these regulations. 

Age Requirements and Permitted and Prohibited Jobs for Minors in Ohio

The minimum age criteria for minors to work in Ohio is 14 years. However, the law also specifies minimum age requirements for a specific type of occupation. Here’s a breakdown of the same: 

• Minors under the age of 14 can work in family businesses, agricultural occupations, and as performers (Acting or modeling), given they have proper work permits. 
• Minors aged 14 and 15 are permitted to work in limited roles, such as food service, retail, and office occupations, given they have a work permit from their schools or district superintendent. However, they are prohibited from hazardous work, such as construction or operating dangerous, heavy machinery, and door-to-door sales.
• Minors aged 16 and 17 have more job opportunities and flexibility than younger teens; however, they are restricted from certain hazardous occupations defined by state and federal guidelines. 

Here are some more deemed prohibited hazardous occupations under state and federal law for minors: 

• Operating motor vehicles
• Railroads
• Logging, roofing, and excavation
• Jobs involving dangerous tools, like saws and ladders
• Jobs involving power-driven equipment or exposure to harmful chemicals or explosives
• Maritime and longshoreman occupations

Payment Laws for Minors in Ohio

Federal law allows employers to pay a training wage or youth minimum wage of $4.25 per hour for young workers under the age of 20 for their initial 90 days of employment. 

In addition, employers are required to pay 85% of the state’s minimum wage, which is $8.88 per hour, for full-time high school or college students involved in part-time occupations. Ohio’s current minimum wage is $10.45 per hour. 

Break Requirements for Minors in Ohio

Minors under the age of 18 are entitled to 30 minutes of rest period after working 5 consecutive hours. No employer is allowed to make a minor work after working for 5 consecutive hours without proper rest. 

This break should be uninterrupted and duty-free, allowing minors to have a proper rest period or enough time to eat and fuel their energy. 

Working Hour Restrictions For Ohio Minors Based on Age Group 

Ohio imposes strict restrictions on the number of hours minors are allowed to work based on their age groups. Here’s a breakdown of the number of working hours and time spans allowed for minors to work in Ohio based on their ages. 

Age 14 & 15

• During the school session months, minors are allowed to work for 3 hours per day, 18 hours per week, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. 
• During school or summer vacations, when the school is not in session, minors are allowed to work up to 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, until 9 p.m. The vacations are usually between June 1 and September 1, but they may vary. 

Age 16-17

• During the school months, minors of this specific age are allowed to work for a maximum of 4 hours on school session days and 8 hours on school holidays, up to 28 hours per week. 

• Minors aged 16-17 shall not be employed after 11 p.m. on a school day. At the same time, they shall not be employed before 7 a.m. on a school day. However, there’s an exception in this case—minors can be employed after 6 a.m. if they were not working after 8 p.m. the previous night. 

• During school or summer vacations, 16-17-year-old minors can work up to 8 hours a day, 48 hours per week. 

Work Permit and Documentation Process 

To legally work in Ohio as a minor employee, minors need to share their age certificate, schooling certificate, and work permit, which the school district or superintendent issues. 

It’s the employer’s responsibility to retain copies of the minor’s work permits for their employment duration. 

Rights and Protections for Minor Workers in Ohio

There are wage laws for minors that ensure that they get paid fairly—85% of the state’s minimum wage for college and high school students and a youth minimum wage of $4.25 per hour for the initial 90 days of employment. 

But, besides wage and payment laws, there are laws governing anti-discrimination and safety measures. These are: 

• Equal treatment: Employers must not discriminate against minors based on age, gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or disability. 

• Bullying or harassment protections: Employers are responsible for practicing and maintaining a safe and secure work environment free from bullying and harassment. Minors have full rights to report such behavior. 

• Workplace safety: Employers are required to ensure safe working conditions for minors and avoid assigning them work involving hazardous chemicals, heavy machinery, or power-driven tools 

• Training requirements: Employers are responsible for providing proper and in-depth training to minors about their work and equipment, making them aware of workplace risks and protocols. 

Resources to Report Violations

Here are some critical resources minors can refer to and contact in case they observe and experience injustice or discrimination. 

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to file a complaint against hazardous and unsafe workplace conditions. 
2. Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Labor and Worker Safety to file a complaint against wage theft or child labor violations. 
3. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), to complain against workplace discrimination based on age, race, color, or religion. 
4. Legal school districts are in place in case employers violate work permit regulations, like asking minors to create forged work permits or making them work more hours than what’s specified in work permits. 

Penalties for Violating Child Labor Laws

Employers must always ensure compliance with child labor regulations to avoid legal fines and penalties, as well as potential business sanctions. The severity of these penalties depends on the harm and infraction to the minor and the frequency and nature of the violation. 

Here is the range of penalties businesses may face due to non-compliance: 

• At the state level, Ohio imposes fines ranging from $500 to $5000 per violation, depending on the severity. 

• Employers repeatedly violating child labor regulations may face revocation of their business licenses or suspension—halting business operations. 

• Intentional and repeated violations of child labor regulations may result in criminal charges, with offenders facing jail or hefty fines. 

Ohio employers must employ and ensure best practices when employing minors to avoid these legal penalties and reputational damages, which are: 

• Obtain and retain work permits from all minors. 

• Stay informed and ensure compliance with state and federal laws related to work-hour restrictions and prohibited occupations for minors. 

• Maintain a safe working environment and provide adequate training to minors. 

• Regularly review child labor law updates and consult legal or professional help to ensure compliance. 

Conclusion 

Child labor is legal in Ohio, given that employers comply with child labor regulations, which include adhering to work hour limitations, age restrictions, and permitted and prohibited occupations. 

Staying informed of these laws and keeping up with the regular updates can be challenging for a growing business—making meeting compliance requirements difficult. At Darwinbox, we offer excellent solutions, like a workforce management suite and a compensation suite, to help you efficiently manage your workforce while ensuring smooth business operations and compliance with such complex laws. 

Whether you aim to employ minors or not, these solutions can help you manage compensation and payroll for employees, track attendance, and perform other core HR activities with a breeze while ensuring compliance with national and international standards. 

Schedule a demo today to learn more.

FAQs

Who is considered a minor in Ohio?

Children under the age of 18 are considered minors in Ohio, and between the ages of 14 and 18 are legally allowed to work in Ohio.

Can a minor in Ohio work multiple jobs simultaneously?

Minors can work multiple jobs in Ohio, provided their total working hours of all jobs don’t exceed the restrictions set by the state and federal child labor laws.

Are late-night shifts allowed for minors in Ohio?

No, minors in Ohio are restricted from working late hours, especially on school days. While the curfew for 14 to 15-year-olds is 7 p.m. on school days and 9 p.m. on vacations, 16 to 17-year-olds cannot work beyond 11 p.m. on school nights.

Is it mandatory for minors to have parental consent to work in Ohio?

Yes, guardian or parental consent is generally mandatory for minors to get a work permit and legally work in Ohio. Schools and superintendents typically grant work permits after checking the minor’s eligibility, type of job, and parental approval.