Indiana Child Labor Laws
In Indiana, the Bureau of Child Labor “operates as an organization dedicated to the proper training and maintaining of proper work practices for youth workers.” Every employer who hires a minor must complete an Intent to Employ/A1 form, detailing the terms of hiring the minor, including duties performed and hours worked.
Child Labor Laws in Indiana For Minors Under 14
Minors must be at least 14 years of age to work in Indiana. There are several exceptions, including working as: a farm laborer, babysitter, golf caddy, certified referee or umpire, performer or actor, or a newspaper carrier. Children under 14 may also work for a parent who is the sole proprietor of a business. There is a provision for legally emancipated minors under the age of 14 to receive permission to work.
Child Labor Laws in Indiana For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old
Fourteen and 15 year olds are allowed to work in specific occupations. These include: performing office and clerical work, basic kitchen work, cashiering, packing and shelving, clean-up work, errand and delivery work, intellectual or artistic work, and work with cars and trucks at gas stations dispensing gas or washing cars. Youth in this age group are prohibited from working in Hazardous jobs.
These include: manufacturing, mining, cooking and baking, meat packing, operating or loading a motor vehicle, peddling of goods, advertising by holding signs or wearing costumes, and outside window washing. Fourteen and 15 year olds are also prohibited from working in an establishment that sells or serves alcohol for consumption. Minors under the age of 16 may work in hazardous occupations in the field of Agriculture. They are not allowed to work in Hazardous Occupations listed below under 16-17 year olds.
The Indiana Laws outline the restrictions for this age group as follows:
When public school is in session:
- No more than three hours on school days
- No more than eight hours on non-school days
- Maximum of 18 hours per week
- Not earlier than 7a.m. or later than 7p.m.
- Home schooled students are allowed to work during traditional school hours with written permission from a parent or tutor
When public school is not in session:
- No more than eight hours per day
- Maximum of 40 hours per week
- Not earlier than 7a.m. or later than 9p.m. between June 1st and Labor Day
Child Labor Laws in Indiana For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old
Both 16 and 17 year olds face fewer job restrictions in Indiana. They are prohibited from working in an establishment that sells or serves alcohol for consumption. Restrictions also include the following Hazardous Occupations:
- Manufacturing or Storing of Potentially Explosive Components
- Forest Fire Fighting
- Exposure to Radioactive Substances
- Mining
- Metalworking
- Demolition
- Roofing
- Excavating
- Operating Bakery Machines
- Power-Driven Equipment
- Work involving Meat-processing
The Indiana Laws outline the restrictions for this age group as follows:
When public school is in session:
- No more than eight hours on a school day (nine hours with parental approval)
- Maximum of 30 hours per week (40 hours with parental approval)
- No more than six days per week
- Not earlier than 6a.m. or later than 10p.m. on days followed by a school day
- Not earlier than 6a.m. or later than 12am on days not followed by a school day
When public school is not in session:
- No more than 48 hours per week
- Not earlier than 6am or later than 12am
Students 16 years of age and older who have withdrawn or graduated from high school are not bound by the hour restrictions.
