Indiana mandates strict hour limits and working paper requirements for employees under 18.
Indiana law imposes significant restrictions on the employment of minors, including age-based hour limitations, mandatory breaks, and prohibitions on hazardous occupations. Employers must obtain valid work permits for all employees under 18 before they begin work. These rules are designed to protect the health, safety, and educational opportunities of young workers.
Indiana Minor Employment Rules
Working papers required for under-18. Hour limits during school year. 30-min break for 6+ consecutive hours. Hazardous occupations prohibited.
What those rules do as a Indiana shift is created.
Teambridge automatically processes Indiana's minor employment rules at every relevant moment, ensuring compliance without manual oversight. This includes verifying work permits, tracking hours against legal limits, and confirming breaks.
Block shifts without work permits
Before a minor (under 18) can be scheduled for their first shift, Teambridge verifies that a valid Indiana work permit (Employment Certificate) has been uploaded and approved. Scheduling is blocked until this requirement is met, preventing illegal employment.
Flag school-year hour violations
For minors aged 14-15, Teambridge flags any proposed shift that would exceed 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, or 8 hours on a non-school day. For 16-17 year olds, it flags shifts exceeding 8 hours on a school day or 30 hours in a school week during the school year.
Warn against hazardous occupations
Teambridge maintains a database of occupations deemed hazardous by Indiana law (e.g., operating heavy machinery, certain manufacturing processes). If a minor is scheduled for a role or task associated with these occupations, a critical warning is issued, prompting review and potential reassignment.
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Indiana's comprehensive minor employment regulations protect young workers.
Indiana law, primarily found in IC 20-33-3, sets strict guidelines for the employment of individuals under 18 years of age. These regulations cover work permits, permissible hours, mandatory breaks, and prohibited occupations, with specific distinctions based on the minor's age and whether school is in session.
Indiana Code § 20-33-3-1 to § 20-33-3-38
Requires minors to obtain an employment certificate (work permit) before starting work. Establishes maximum daily and weekly hours, particularly during school terms, and mandates rest periods. Prohibits employment in specified hazardous occupations or during certain late-night hours.
Key Provisions for Minors Under 18
All minors under the age of 18 must obtain a valid employment certificate, commonly known as a work permit, before commencing work. This certificate is issued by the school corporation where the minor resides or attends school. Employers are legally obligated to keep these certificates on file. Violations of these provisions can result in significant penalties for employers.
Specific hour limitations vary by age and whether school is in session:
- Minors 14-15 years old:
- School in session: Maximum 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week. Not before 7:00 AM or after 7:00 PM (except June 1 to Labor Day, when hours extend to 9:00 PM).
- School not in session: Maximum 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week. Not before 7:00 AM or after 9:00 PM.
- Minors 16-17 years old:
- School in session: Maximum 8 hours on a school day, 30 hours in a school week. Not before 6:00 AM or after 10:00 PM (Sunday-Thursday). Friday and Saturday hours may extend to 11:30 PM.
- School not in session: Maximum 8 hours per day, 48 hours per week. No restrictions on start/end times.
Mandatory Breaks and Prohibited Occupations
Indiana law also mandates a rest period for minors. Any minor who works six (6) or more consecutive hours must be given a thirty (30) minute meal or rest period. This break must be paid if the minor is not relieved of all duties during that time. Teambridge ensures these breaks are scheduled and taken, flagging any shifts that violate this requirement.
Furthermore, Indiana prohibits minors from working in a wide range of hazardous occupations, aligned with federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations. These include, but are not limited to, operating power-driven machinery, working in excavations, manufacturing or storing explosives, or any work involving exposure to radioactive substances. Teambridge integrates these prohibitions, alerting employers to potential violations if a minor is assigned to such roles.
Teambridge implements Indiana's minor employment rules at every touchpoint.
From initial hiring to daily shift execution, Teambridge continuously applies Indiana's minor employment rules, automating compliance checks and providing real-time alerts to prevent violations before they occur.
Work Permit Verification
When a new minor employee is added, Teambridge prompts for and verifies the upload of a valid Indiana Employment Certificate (work permit), blocking scheduling until confirmed.
Pre-Shift Hour & Time Checks
As a manager creates or edits a shift, Teambridge instantly checks proposed hours against the minor's age, school status, and cumulative weekly totals, flagging or blocking non-compliant schedules.
Break & Overtime Monitoring
During clock-in/out, Teambridge monitors for the mandatory 30-minute break for shifts exceeding 6 hours and tracks total hours to prevent accidental overtime or daily/weekly hour violations.
Audit-Ready Compliance Logs
Teambridge maintains detailed, immutable logs of all minor employee shifts, break compliance, and work permit statuses, providing audit-ready documentation for state inspections.
People also ask.
What is an Indiana employment certificate (work permit) and who needs it?
An Indiana employment certificate, commonly called a work permit, is a document required by law for all minors under 18 years of age to work in Indiana. It certifies that the minor is legally permitted to be employed and is typically obtained from the minor's school corporation. Employers must keep a copy on file.
Are there different hour limits for minors during the school year versus school breaks?
Yes, Indiana law imposes stricter hour limitations for minors during the school year to ensure their education is not negatively impacted. During school breaks (e.g., summer vacation), the permissible working hours are generally extended, but still have maximum daily and weekly limits.
What is the mandatory break requirement for minors in Indiana?
Indiana law mandates that any minor who works six (6) or more consecutive hours must be provided a thirty (30) minute meal or rest period. This break must be uninterrupted and, if the minor is not completely relieved of duties, it must be paid.
Can minors work in any type of job in Indiana?
No. Indiana law, consistent with federal FLSA regulations, prohibits minors from working in a variety of occupations deemed hazardous. These include roles involving dangerous machinery, explosives, mining, or certain manufacturing processes. Employers must carefully review job duties to ensure they are permissible for minors.
What are the penalties for violating Indiana's minor employment laws?
Employers who violate Indiana's minor employment laws can face civil penalties, including fines for each offense. Repeated violations can lead to increased penalties and potential legal action. Enforcement is typically handled by the Indiana Department of Labor.
Does Teambridge help with federal child labor laws too?
Yes, Teambridge integrates both federal (FLSA) and state (Indiana) child labor laws. Where state law is more protective of minors, Teambridge applies the stricter state standard. This ensures comprehensive compliance with both federal and state requirements for minor employment.