Lesson 16: Adolescents and Young Persons

Employment of Adolescents and Young Persons

Adolescents are 12, 13, and 14 years old.

They may be employed to:

  • make deliveries for a retail store,
  • deliver newspapers or flyers,
  • be a clerk in an office or retail store, or
  • perform some jobs in the restaurant and food services industry, if the employment is not injurious to the adolescent's life, health, education, or welfare.

The parent or guardian of any adolescent must agree to the employment and provide written consent to the employer.

Adolescents can only work 2 hours on a school day and a maximum of 8 hours on a non-school day.

They cannot work between the hours of 9:00 pm and 6:00 am.


Young persons are 15, 16, and 17 years old.

They must work with one or more adults between 9:00 pm and midnight and cannot be employed between midnight and 6:00 am at, or in connection with:

  • any retail store selling food or beverages or any other merchandise,
  • a retail business selling gasoline or other petroleum products, or
  • a motel, hotel, inn, etc.

Young persons can be employed in any other business between midnight and 6:00 am, but must be in the continuous presence of one or more adults and the employer must have the written permission of the young person's parent or guardian.




For answers to frequently asked questions about special employment standards for adolescents and young persons, click here.