Ga Labor Laws For Minors

In the state of Georgia, labor laws for minors are designed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of young workers. These laws regulate the employment of minors, defining the ages at which they can start working, the types of jobs they can perform, and the hours they can work. The primary goal is to ensure that minors balance their educational needs with their desire to work, preventing exploitation and promoting a safe working environment.

Age Requirements

Georgia labor laws specify different age requirements for different types of employment. For instance, minors aged 14 and 15 can work in non-manufacturing, non-hazardous jobs outside of school hours. They are allowed to work in retail, food service, and gas stations, among other places, but their work hours are strictly limited. Minors aged 16 and 17 can work in a broader range of jobs but are still restricted from hazardous occupations.

Permitted Jobs and Hours

• 14 and 15-year-olds: These minors can work in jobs such as babysitting, pet sitting, lawn care, and working in retail or food service establishments. However, they cannot work during school hours and are limited to 40 hours per week when school is not in session. They can work no more than 4 hours on a school day and 8 hours on non-school days.

• 16 and 17-year-olds: These minors can work longer hours and in more types of jobs, except those deemed hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. They can work up to 40 hours per week, but no more than 6 days a week. On school days, they can work up to 4 hours, but hours cannot begin before 6 a.m. or end after 11 p.m., except on certain days when school is not the next day, in which case the end time can extend to midnight.

Hazardous Occupations

Georgia, like federal law, prohibits minors under 18 from working in hazardous occupations. These include manufacturing, mining, construction, and certain types of agricultural work. Even within permitted jobs, there are specific tasks that may be deemed too hazardous for minors, such as operating certain machinery or working at heights.

Work Permits

While Georgia does not require minors to obtain work permits before starting employment, employers are required to verify the age and identity of minors. Employers must maintain a record of the minor’s proof of age on file. This can be in the form of a birth certificate, a driver’s license, or other government-issued identification.

Education Requirements

Georgia law prioritizes education, mandating that minors maintain satisfactory academic performance to continue working. Employers are required to monitor the academic performance of their minor employees and can be required to terminate employment if a minor’s grades fall below satisfactory levels.

Enforcement and Penalties

The Georgia Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division are responsible for enforcing child labor laws. Employers found violating these laws can face penalties, including fines and potentially even criminal charges, depending on the severity of the violation. These laws are strictly enforced to protect minors from exploitation and ensure their safety and well-being.

Conclusion

Georgia’s labor laws for minors strike a balance between allowing young individuals to enter the workforce and protecting them from exploitation and harm. By setting age restrictions, limiting work hours, and prohibiting hazardous occupations, these laws aim to ensure that minors can gain valuable work experience without compromising their health, safety, or education.