Massachusetts · Minors · Updated April 2026

Minors 14-15: strict hour caps + time windows. Full $15/hr.

Massachusetts workers ages 14-15 face strict hour caps under MGL c. 149 §§ 60-69: maximum 18 hours per school week, 8 hours per non-school day, 40 hours per non-school week. Time-of-day windows: 7 AM-7 PM during school year (Sept-June), extending to 9 PM during summer (June 15-Labor Day). 30-minute meal break required after 6 hours (same as adults). Cannot work during school hours. Full $15/hr state minimum wage applies — no youth subminimum. Employment certificate required from school superintendent before work begins.

School week cap
18 hours
Non-school day cap
8 hours
Time window
7 AM-7 PM (school year)
Active

14-15 Year Old Worker Workflow

Enforces hour caps per day, school week, non-school week. Validates time-of-day windows including summer extension. Verifies employment certificate on file. Cross-references with school calendar. Applies full minimum wage.

Block scheduling beyond 18 hr school week
Block shifts outside time-of-day window
Verify employment certificate on file
Always running

What those rules do for 14-15 year old workers.

The hero card configuration: Block on hour caps, Block on time windows, Flag on certificate.

Block · scheduling beyond 18 hr school week

When a 14-15 year old worker's scheduled hours for a school week (typically Sun-Sat or Mon-Sun) approach 18 hours, additional shifts fail to publish. Same enforcement at 8 hours/day, 40 hours/non-school week.

Block · shifts outside time-of-day window

During school year (Sept-June), shifts before 7 AM or after 7 PM fail to publish. Summer extension (June 15-Labor Day) allows shifts until 9 PM. School-hour shifts always blocked. The school calendar drives the determination.

Flag · employment certificate verification

When a 14-15 year old worker is configured, Teambridge requires the employment certificate from school superintendent on file. Without certificate, scheduling fails. Certificate expiration tracks; renewal alerts surface 30 days out.

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The rule, plainly stated

Hour caps + time windows + employment certificate.

MA's 14-15 worker rules are stricter than federal FLSA on hours and time-of-day, with the additional employment certificate requirement.

MGL c. 149 §§ 60-69; 454 CMR 27.07: No person under sixteen years of age shall be employed during the hours when the public schools are in session in the city or town in which the said minor resides, nor before seven o'clock in the morning or after seven o'clock in the evening; provided, however, that during the period from June 15 to Labor Day, no person under sixteen shall be employed after nine o'clock in the evening.

Hour caps under MGL c. 149

Workers 14-15 face strict hour caps: maximum 18 hours per school week, 8 hours per non-school day, 40 hours per non-school week. The school week vs non-school week determination tracks the school calendar — typically Sept-June for school weeks, summer recess and major holidays for non-school weeks. Cannot work during school hours regardless of total hours. Caps are per-employer; multiple jobs within the cap aren't permitted.

Time-of-day windows

School year (Sept-June): 7 AM to 7 PM. Summer (June 15-Labor Day): 7 AM to 9 PM. Cannot work during school hours under any circumstances. The summer extension to 9 PM is a meaningful operational difference; 7 PM cutoff during school year limits dinner-rush retail/restaurant scheduling. Federal FLSA permits work until 7 PM during school year and 9 PM during summer — MA matches.

On autopilot

Teambridge enforces hour caps, time windows, and certificate requirements.

MA's 14-15 worker rules require continuous validation across hour caps, time windows, and certificate compliance. Per-shift enforcement prevents the most common errors.

01 · Pre-employment certificate validation

Required before first shift.

Before a 14-15 year old worker can be scheduled, the employment certificate must be on file. Without certificate, scheduling fails — even for a single shift.

02 · Hour cap enforcement

Per day, week, school week.

Each scheduling action validates against hour caps: 8 hours/day, 18 hours/school week, 40 hours/non-school week. Approaching caps surface as Avoid; exceeding caps blocks.

03 · Time window validation

Calendar-aware.

Shift start and end times validate against time windows. Calendar awareness routes school-year (7 AM-7 PM) vs summer (7 AM-9 PM, June 15-Labor Day). School-hour shifts always blocked.

04 · Hazardous task screening

Federal HO + MA prohibitions.

Job duties cross-check against federal Hazardous Orders and MA-specific minor prohibitions. Restricted task assignments surface for review or block depending on severity.

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FAQ

People also ask.

What are the hour caps for 14-15 year old workers?
18 hours per school week, 8 hours per non-school day, 40 hours per non-school week. Cannot work during school hours regardless of total hours. The caps are per-employer.
What time windows apply?
School year (Sept-June): 7 AM to 7 PM. Summer (June 15-Labor Day): 7 AM to 9 PM. Cannot work during school hours under any circumstances.
Is an employment certificate required?
Yes. Massachusetts requires an employment certificate from the school superintendent or designee before any worker under 18 begins work. Verifies identity, age, parental consent, school enrollment, physical fitness. Employer keeps on file.
Do meal break rules apply?
Yes. Workers 14-15 receive the same 30-minute meal break for shifts over 6 hours as adults under MGL c. 149 § 100. Fully-relieved standard applies. No additional rest break requirement specifically for this age group.
What's the minimum wage for 14-15 workers?
Full $15/hr state minimum. Massachusetts has no general youth subminimum. Federal $4.25 training wage doesn't apply (state preempts). Limited exceptions for school-licensed work at 80% with EOLWD license.
What about hazardous tasks?
Federal FLSA Hazardous Orders (HO 1-17) prohibit minors under 18 from specific dangerous occupations. MA c. 149 §§ 62-66 adds state-specific prohibitions. Both apply; MA list includes additional restrictions for 14-15 year old workers.
How does Teambridge handle this?
Pre-employment certificate validation required. Hour caps enforce per day, week, and school week. Time window validation is calendar-aware (school year vs summer). Hazardous task screening cross-checks against federal HO and MA prohibitions.