Wisconsin requires work permits for all minors under 18 and imposes strict hour limits.
Wisconsin's minor employment rules are comprehensive, mandating work permits for all employees under 18. The state also dictates specific hour limitations during school weeks and school breaks, ensuring minors' education and well-being are prioritized. Additionally, a mandatory 30-minute meal break is required for minors working shifts of six hours or more.
Wisconsin Minor Employment Rules
Ensures compliance with state-mandated work permits, hour restrictions, and meal break requirements for employees under 18.
What those rules do as a Wisconsin shift is created.
Teambridge automatically incorporates Wisconsin's minor employment laws into your scheduling process, preventing violations before they occur. Our system checks age, permit status, and proposed hours against state regulations to ensure full compliance.
Block work without permits
If a minor's profile lacks a valid work permit, Teambridge automatically blocks them from being scheduled for any shift, ensuring strict adherence to Wis. Stat. § 103.69.
Flag hour limit violations
Teambridge flags any schedule that would cause a minor to exceed daily or weekly hour limits, differentiating between school days and non-school days, as per DWD 270.
Prevent hazardous assignments
Our system identifies and prevents minors from being scheduled for occupations deemed hazardous by state and federal law, protecting their safety and ensuring compliance with DWD 270.11.
Wisconsin's extensive protections for minor employees.
Wisconsin law mandates specific requirements for employers hiring minors, covering work permits, hours of employment, and prohibited occupations to safeguard their education, health, and well-being. These rules apply to all employees under the age of 18.
Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 103: Child Labor
Wis. Stat. § 103.64. Employment of minors; work permits.
(1) No minor under 18 years of age may be employed or permitted to work at any gainful occupation unless there is first procured from the department or a person designated by the department a written permit authorizing the employment of the minor.
Wis. Admin. Code DWD 270.10. Hours of labor for minors.
(1) No minor under 18 years of age may be employed or permitted to work: (a) More than 8 hours in any one day; (b) More than 40 hours in any one week; (c) More than 6 days in any one week; (d) Before 7 a.m. or after 9 p.m. on a day preceding a school day if the minor is under 16 years of age.
Wis. Admin. Code DWD 270.12. Meal periods.
(1) Every minor employed for 6 consecutive hours or more shall be allowed a meal period of at least 30 consecutive minutes, which shall not be counted as hours worked.
Work Permits and Age Requirements
Wisconsin law requires a work permit for all minors under 18 years of age before they can be employed in any gainful occupation. Employers are responsible for ensuring that a valid permit is on file. The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) issues these permits, which verify the minor's age and the legality of the proposed employment. Specific permits may be required for different age groups or types of work, with stricter regulations for those under 16.
Hour Limitations and Prohibited Occupations
The state imposes strict limits on the hours minors can work, particularly during the school year. For instance, minors under 16 cannot work more than 8 hours in a day, 40 hours in a week, or more than 6 days a week. Additionally, there are restrictions on working late evenings on school nights. Wisconsin also prohibits minors from working in occupations deemed hazardous or detrimental to their health, safety, or welfare, aligning with both state and federal child labor laws. Employers must also provide a 30-minute meal break for minors working shifts of six consecutive hours or more.
Teambridge handles Wisconsin's minor employment rules so you don't have to.
With Teambridge, managing minor employees in Wisconsin becomes effortless. Our system integrates all state-specific requirements directly into your scheduling and compliance workflows, reducing administrative burden and eliminating the risk of accidental violations.
Automated permit collection
During onboarding, Teambridge prompts for necessary work permit documentation for all employees under 18 and flags profiles where permits are missing or expired.
Real-time compliance checks
As you build schedules, Teambridge automatically cross-references minor employee ages with Wisconsin's daily, weekly, and time-of-day hour limits, preventing non-compliant shifts.
Mandatory break enforcement
Our system ensures that all shifts exceeding six hours for minors automatically include a 30-minute unpaid meal break, maintaining compliance with DWD 270.12.
Hazardous occupation alerts
Teambridge's intelligent task assignment feature prevents minors from being assigned to roles or duties classified as hazardous under Wisconsin and federal law.
People also ask.
What is the minimum age to work in Wisconsin?
Generally, the minimum age to work in Wisconsin is 14, with specific restrictions on types of work and hours. However, some exceptions exist for agricultural work, domestic service, and newspaper delivery, where younger minors may be employed under strict conditions.
Is a work permit always required for minors in Wisconsin?
Yes, a work permit is required for all minors under 18 years of age employed in any gainful occupation in Wisconsin, with very limited exceptions. This includes both full-time and part-time employment.
What are the hour limits for 16 and 17-year-olds in Wisconsin?
While 16 and 17-year-olds are generally allowed to work more hours than younger minors, they are still subject to certain restrictions. They cannot work more than 8 hours in any one day or more than 40 hours in any one week when school is in session, unless they are enrolled in an approved work-study program. During school vacations, these limits are relaxed.
Are there any jobs minors cannot do in Wisconsin?
Yes, Wisconsin law prohibits minors from working in occupations deemed hazardous or detrimental to their health, safety, or welfare. This includes, but is not limited to, operating certain power-driven machinery, working in mining, or in establishments serving alcohol as a primary function.
What is the penalty for violating Wisconsin's minor employment rules?
Employers who violate Wisconsin's minor employment rules can face significant penalties, including fines for each violation. Repeat offenses can lead to higher fines and more severe consequences. The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is responsible for enforcing these regulations.
Does Wisconsin require meal breaks for minor employees?
Yes, Wisconsin law mandates that every minor employed for 6 consecutive hours or more shall be allowed a meal period of at least 30 consecutive minutes. This meal period is generally unpaid and not counted as hours worked.