Minimum Age to Work in IN
Indiana (IN) Quick Reference Table
| Age | Summary of Requirements |
|---|---|
| 14-15 | Must possess a work permit. |
| 16-17 | Must possess a work permit. |
| 18-20 | Must be 18 to work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption |
| 21 | Able to serve alcohol for consumption. No restrictions. |
Indiana Child Labor Laws
Indiana allows minors to begin working at the age of 14, though certain restrictions apply to the type of work, hours allowed, and the type of paperwork that must remain on file in order during their employment. Restrictions for working minors generally decrease as they age. Employees over the age of 18 face fewer restrictions than younger counterparts, though some jobs remain restricted to even older teenagers.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Work in Indiana?
For nearly every employment opportunity, minors must stand at least 14 years of age in order to work in Indiana. However, certain exceptions remain. A minor performingvagriculture, youth sports, entertainment and domestic tasks may receive permission to work under the age of fourteen. A legally emancipated minor may also gain employment if they are under 14. Children working at a business owned and operated by a parent may not legally perform services for money until turning 14, unless the parent serves as the sole proprietor of the establishment. In such cases, minors do not need obtain a work permit. Otherwise, valid work permits must remain on file at all times during tenures held by minors.
Obtaining a Work Permit
With a few exceptions, any minor between the ages of 14 and 17 must acquire a work permit to work in the State of Indiana. Many students get their work permit from their high school, while others must discover how to get a work permit in the summer.
Do you need a work permit during summer?
Yes. All working minors in the state of Indiana must have a work permit.
Where can I get a work permit besides school?
Indiana’s Department of Labor website has an online portal through which minors can apply for employment certificates.
How do I get a work permit during summer?
- Access the “Online Work Permit System Login Request” on the Department of Labor webpage.
- Fill out and submit request form
- This page leads to the student records of each school district
- Minors must find their student record and click “Add Work Permit” to their account.
- Update information for the permit, then submit it for approval.
- Teens can now print out the certificate, sign the bottom and present it to potential employers during their job hunt.
Acceptable Employment for Minors
The United States Department of Labor maintains an updated list of occupations considered hazardous for minors. Both 14 and 15 year olds may perform:
- Office and clerical work
- Basic kitchen tasks
- Cashiering
- Packing and shelving
- Cleaning jobs
- Errands and delivery work
- Intellectual and artistic work
- Washing cars and dispensing gasoline
Certain occupations remain inaccessible to 14 and 15 year olds. Prohibited jobs include:
- Manufacturing
- Mining
- Cooking and baking
- Meatpacking
- Operating or loading motor vehicles
- Youth peddling
- Advertising
- Holding signs and wearing costumes
- Outside window washing
Employment Possibilities for 16 and 17 Year Olds
Both 16 and 17 year olds face additional occupational restrictions due to both state and federal laws. Some jobs not permissible for sixteen and seventeen year olds include:
- Manufacturing and storing potentially explosive materials
- Forest fire fighting
- Handling radioactive substances
- Mining
- Metalworking
- Demolition
- Roofing
- Excavating
- Operating heavy machinery
- Meatprocessing
Hour Restrictions for Minors
For each age grouping in the state of Indiana, hour restrictions apply. For ages 14 and 15, teen workers must work up to three hours on school days, eight hours on non-school days, and 18 hours per school week. Outside of school hours, minors can enjoy 40-hour work weeks, Even so, scheduling a 14 or 15 year old before 7:00am or after 7:00pm is illegal unless they are working during the summer, in which case they can work until 9:00pm. For 16 and 17 year olds, time restrictions include eight hours per school day , 30 hours per week, and up to six working days per week. They can work between 6:00pm and 10:00pm every day, and must have parental consent to extend these time frames.
Exceptions
Homeschooled students must follow all work-hour restrictions but possess the ability to work during traditional school days with written permission from a parent or tutor. Students who are 16 or older and have withdrawn or graduated from high school are exempt from these restrictions. Summer employment follows the same rules on occupations and hour restrictions, as well. Minors under the age of 16 may participate in various hazardous occupations in the field of agriculture as opposed to nonagricultural positions, though thoroughly examining the DOL website may prove beneficial in order to avoid fines and other penalties.
source: Indiana child labor laws
