Wisconsin Child Labor Laws

Wisconsin’s first child labor regulation instituted a penalty for any employer compelling any minor under 18 to work more than eight hours per day in any factory or workshop.  There was also a penalty for any employer permitting any minor under 14 to work more than 10 hours per day.

Child Labor Laws in Wisconsin For Minors Under 14​

According to Wisconsin Child Labor Law, minors under 14 years of age are not allowed to accept gainful employment in order to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional development.  There are several exceptions.  Starting at the age of 12, children are permitted to work in agriculture, street trades, such as delivering newspapers, in school lunch programs, babysitting, golf caddying, and in businesses owned by their parent.

Child Labor Laws in Wisconsin For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old

Minors 14 and 15 may be employed in certain jobs with a work permit.  A work permit is not required for the following areas:

  • Agriculture
  • Work in or around a home
  • Volunteer work for a nonprofit organization
  • Public entertainment or exhibition
  • Street trades for fund-raising for private or public schools as well as nonprofit organizations
  • Most apprenticeships

Among the jobs they may perform are in arcades, bowling alleys, roller skating rinks, theaters, stadiums, and arenas.

They are prohibited from working in establishments which serve or sell alcohol for consumption.  All minors under 18 are restricted from working in the Hazardous Occupations listed below.

Wisconsin Child Labor Law outlines restrictions for this age group, including:

When public school is in session:

  • No working during school hours
  • No more than three hours on school days
  • A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
  • A maximum of 18 hours per week
  • A maximum of 24 hours for a partial school week
  • No earlier than 7am or later than 7pm
  • Must have a 30 minute break after six consecutive hours of work

When public school is not in session:

  • No more than eight hours per day
  • A maximum of 40 hours per week
  • No earlier than 7am or later than 9pm between June 1 and Labor Day
  • Must have a 30 minute break after six consecutive hours of work

Child Labor Laws in Wisconsin For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old

Minors 16 and 17 may work in a variety of jobs with a work permit.  The same exceptions to a work permit apply as for 14 and 15 year olds.  Some acceptable job areas include work in restaurants, hotels, factories, commercial cleaning, hospitals, landscaping, lifeguarding, nursing homes, and service stations.

They may not work in establishments that sell or serve alcohol for consumption. 

Additionally, there is a Hazardous Occupations list from which all minors are restricted as follows:

  • Adult Bookstores
  • Use of Bakery Machines
  • Demolition/Wrecking
  • Working in a Confined Space
  • Selling, Serving, or Dispensing Liquor
  • Excavation involving a Trench Four Feet Deep or Greater
  • Roofing Operations
  • Working with Power-Driven Saws or Shears
  • Exposure to Radioactive Substances
  • Operating a Motor Vehicle on Public Roads as a Regular Job Duty, such as a Taxi
  • Operating, Setting up, or Cleaning Meat and Food Slicers

Wisconsin Child Labor Law outlines the restrictions for this age group as follows:

When public school is in session:

  • No working during school hours
  • No more than five hours on school days
  • A maximum of eight hours on non-school days
  • A maximum of 26 hours per week
  • A maximum of 32 hours during a partial school week
  • No schedule restrictions, except when working after 11pm, they must have at least eight hours rest before the next shift
  • Must have a 30 minute break after six consecutive hours of work

When public school is not in session:

  • No more than eight hours per day
  • A maximum of 40 hours per week
  • No schedule restrictions, except when working after 11pm, they must have at least eight hours rest before the next shift
  • Must have a 30 minute break after six consecutive hours of work