Child Labor Law Attorneys in California
Quick Answer
California child labor laws protect minors by restricting work hours and hazardous tasks and requiring work permits in most cases. During the school year, 14- and 15-year-olds may work no more than 3 hours on a school day and not after 7 p.m., while 16- and 17-year-olds may work up to 4 hours on a school day and not after 10 p.m. on a school night. Violations may include unpaid wages, denied breaks, or work that interferes with school. Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights (LFECR) helps families evaluate suspected violations and pursue available remedies, which may include unpaid wages and compensation for work injuries, depending on the circumstances.
Do you suspect that your child's employer may have taken advantage of them or failed to adequately safeguard their education, health, and overall welfare?
At Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights (LFECR), we understand your concerns and are dedicated to providing guidance and legal support if your child has been affected by potential violations of child labor laws.
Our California child labor law attorneys offer free case evaluations for families of minors who may have been exploited, placed in unsafe conditions, or denied the protections California law guarantees young workers. If you believe your child's employer has broken the law, we can help you understand what happened and what your options are.
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Child Labor Laws in California
California's child labor laws set the minimum age to work, limit how many hours and how late minors may work, require most minors to have a work permit, and ban minors from hazardous jobs. They apply to almost every worker under 18 who is still required to attend school, including teens who have dropped out. A child labor violation happens when an employer breaks any of these rules, even if the teen or a parent agreed to the arrangement.
For parents concerned about their children's well-being in the workplace, understanding child labor laws is essential. These laws are designed to safeguard young workers, ensuring they are not subjected to hazardous conditions, excessive work hours, or exploitation.
California and federal child labor laws both apply to most employers. When they differ, the employer must follow whichever rule is stricter, and California's rules are usually stricter, especially for 16- and 17-year-olds. The Labor Commissioner's Office summarizes the state requirements on its minors and employment page.
If you suspect that your child has suffered due to violations of child labor laws, LFECR is here to help. We advocate for safe and nurturing work environments for young workers.
Our child labor law attorneys can assess your situation, explain the rules that apply, and guide you through the process of addressing any issues.
Signs Your Child's Employer May Be Violating California Law
California has detailed child labor protections that limit when minors may work, how long they may work, and what kinds of work they may perform. If any of the following apply to your child's situation, it may be worth speaking with an attorney.
- Your child is working more hours than California law allows for their age group, either on school days or during school weeks.
- Your child was required to work past the legally permitted hours in the evening without proper authorization.
- Your child was assigned to perform tasks that California classifies as hazardous for minors, such as operating heavy machinery, working with dangerous chemicals, or performing construction work.
- Your child's employer did not obtain the required work permit before allowing them to work.
- Your child was not paid the California minimum wage for all hours worked.
- Your child was not given required meal or rest breaks during their shift.
- Your child was pressured to work during school hours in a way that interfered with their education.
- Your child was injured at work and the conditions that caused the injury may not have been legal for a minor to work in.
- Your child's hours were cut, or they were fired, after they or you complained about pay, hours, or safety.
Does any of this sound familiar?
If any of these sound familiar, speaking with a child labor law attorney can help you understand whether a violation occurred and what steps may be available.
How Many Hours Can Minors Work in California?
It depends on the minor's age and whether school is in session. Under California Labor Code Section 1391 and the Education Code, the limits for most jobs are:
| Ages 14 and 15 | Ages 16 and 17 | |
|---|---|---|
| School day | 3 hours | 4 hours |
| Non-school day | 8 hours | 8 hours |
| Week while school is in session | 18 hours | 48 hours |
| Week while school is out | 40 hours | 48 hours |
| Earliest start | 7 a.m. | 5 a.m. |
| Latest end, night before a school day | 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) | 10 p.m. |
| Latest end, night before a non-school day | 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) | 12:30 a.m. |
How late can teenagers work in California?
A 14- or 15-year-old may not work after 7 p.m., except from June 1 through Labor Day, when the limit is 9 p.m. A 16- or 17-year-old may not work after 10 p.m. on a night before a school day, or after 12:30 a.m. on a night before a non-school day. 14- and 15-year-olds may also not work during school hours. Limited exceptions exist for school-supervised work experience programs, certain personal attendant jobs, agriculture, and the entertainment industry. A schedule that breaks these limits is a violation even if the teen asked for the extra shifts.
What Is the Minimum Age to Work in California?
For most jobs, the minimum age is 14. There is no single minimum age for every kind of work, though. Children 12 and 13 may work only in narrow situations, such as during school holidays and vacations with a permit, and children under 12 generally may not be employed outside the entertainment industry and a few other narrow categories. Minors under 16 also may not work in manufacturing establishments.
Do Minors Need a Work Permit in California?
Yes, in most cases. Before a minor starts work, the employer must have a valid Permit to Employ and Work on file. The permit is usually issued by the minor's school, lists the job and the maximum hours allowed, and generally must be renewed each school year. Entertainment work uses a separate permit issued by the Labor Commissioner. Limited exemptions exist, for example for some minors who have already graduated from high school. Employing a minor without a valid permit on file is a violation on its own, separate from any problem with hours or wages.
What Jobs Are Minors Prohibited From Performing?
Minors may not perform hazardous work, and these restrictions apply even when a parent or the teen agrees to the job. Under California law, minors under 16 may not operate or help operate power saws, presses, laundry machinery, and many other machines. They also may not drive any vehicle, work on scaffolding or in heavy construction, work in excavations, or work with dangerous chemicals.
The federal child labor rules add 17 categories of hazardous work that are off-limits to everyone under 18. These include operating forklifts, power-driven meat slicers and bakery mixers, roofing, and excavation.
Restaurants, grocery stores, warehouses, and farms are where many of these violations happen. For example, a 15-year-old asked to run a meat slicer at a deli, or a 17-year-old told to drive a forklift in a stockroom, is being given work the law does not allow at that age.
Do California Minimum Wage and Break Laws Apply to Minors?
Yes. Minors are generally entitled to the same California minimum wage as adult workers, and to the same meal break and rest break protections. Paying a teen in cash below minimum wage, making them work "trial" shifts for free, or skipping their breaks can create a wage claim on top of any child labor violation. These are separate legal problems: an employer can follow every hour limit and still commit minimum wage violations or wage theft.
What Happens If a Minor Is Injured at Work?
An injured minor is generally covered by workers' compensation, the same as an adult employee. If the minor was under 16 and illegally employed when the injury happened, California Labor Code Section 4557 increases the workers' compensation benefits by 50 percent, in most cases. Workers' compensation is usually the main remedy for a work injury. Whether other claims are available depends on the facts. Learn more about our workplace injury representation.
Can Parents Sue an Employer for Violating Child Labor Laws?
Often, yes, but the legal claim usually belongs to the minor, not the parent. Because minors generally cannot bring a lawsuit on their own, a parent or guardian typically acts on the child's behalf. Depending on the situation, a family may pursue a Labor Commissioner wage claim, a lawsuit for unpaid wages and break premiums, or a workers' compensation claim for an injury. Deadlines can work differently for minors, so it is worth getting advice early.
Can an Employer Retaliate Against a Minor for Reporting Labor Violations?
No. California law protects workers of every age from workplace retaliation. An employer may not fire a teen, cut their hours, or threaten them because they or a parent complained about pay, hours, breaks, or safety, or filed a claim. Punishing a worker for a wage complaint is retaliation for filing a wage claim, which is a separate violation with its own remedies.
Child Labor Law Violations
Child labor law violations are serious breaches of rules designed to protect young workers' safety, health, and education. They occur when employers ignore age restrictions, work hour limits, permit requirements, or bans on hazardous work. The state can cite employers $500 to $1,000 per violation for less serious violations such as missing permits, and $5,000 to $10,000 per violation for serious ones such as hazardous work.
Our legal team handles child labor and related wage and hour violations, guiding families through the legal process to address these violations and protect the rights of young workers.
If you believe your child's employer has violated California child labor laws, do not wait. Speaking with an attorney early helps preserve evidence and protect your family's options.
What Families May Be Able to Recover
When an employer violates California child labor laws, affected families may be entitled to several forms of relief depending on the nature of the violations and the harm caused.
- Unpaid wages. Compensation for wages your child was not paid, including any minimum wage violations or unpaid hours.
- Break premiums. An extra hour of pay for each day a required meal or rest break was denied.
- Civil penalties against the employer. California law authorizes civil penalties for child labor violations. Most are imposed through state citations and paid to the state, not to the family. Some Labor Code penalties can be pursued by workers through a PAGA claim, where most of the penalty still goes to the state. An attorney can explain whether penalties are relevant to your child's case.
- Compensation for work injuries. If your child was injured at work, benefits may be available through California’s workers’ compensation system or other legal options depending on the facts. If a worker under 16 was illegally employed at the time of injury, California law may provide increased compensation.
- Additional damages. In cases involving willful or serious violations, employers may face additional financial consequences beyond the base penalties.
Every situation is different and the specific remedies available depend on the facts of your case. A free case evaluation can help your family understand what may be possible given the specific circumstances.
FAQs About Child Labor Law in California
At what age can you work in California?
In California, 14 is the general minimum age for most non-agricultural jobs. Minors under 14 may work only in narrow categories, such as certain entertainment work, limited agricultural work, or work during school vacations with a permit. Children under 12 are generally prohibited from employment outside of the entertainment industry, which has its own permitting requirements through the Labor Commissioner. The minimum age rules exist to protect children from missing school and from work that could harm their health or development.
How many hours can a minor work in California?
It depends on age and whether school is in session. Minors aged 14 and 15 may work up to 3 hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day, and 40 hours in a week when school is out. Minors aged 16 and 17 may work up to 4 hours on a school day, 8 hours on a non-school day, and no more than 48 hours in any week. Employers who exceed these limits may be cited and penalized.
How late can minors work in California?
Minors aged 14 and 15 may work only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., with the evening limit extended to 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day. Minors aged 16 and 17 may start no earlier than 5 a.m. and may not work past 10 p.m. on a night before a school day, or past 12:30 a.m. on a night before a non-school day. Employers who allow or require minors to work outside these hours violate California child labor law regardless of whether the minor or their parent agreed to the schedule.
Do California child labor laws apply to family businesses?
Partially, but the exemption is limited. California does not give parents a blanket right to employ their minor children in any job or business without complying with child labor rules. A parent or guardian may employ their child in agricultural, horticultural, viticultural, or domestic work on property the parent owns, operates, or controls, outside school hours. Outside that exemption, parent employers generally must follow the same rules as other employers, and minors may not be placed in hazardous work. In many business settings, including manufacturing, retail, or restaurants, work permits and hour limits still apply. Because the family-business rules are fact-specific, parents should review the applicable California restrictions before employing their child.
What should I do if I suspect my child's employer is violating child labor laws?
Document everything you are aware of as soon as possible, including the hours your child has been working, any tasks they have been assigned, and any communications between your family and the employer. Keep copies of pay stubs, any work permit documents, and the employer's schedule. Then speak with a child labor law attorney who can evaluate whether violations occurred, explain your options, including claims with the Labor Commissioner, and represent your family if action needs to be taken. A free case evaluation with LFECR carries no cost and no obligation.
Can an employer hire my child without a work permit in California?
In most cases, no. Apart from limited exemptions, California requires a valid Permit to Employ and Work before a minor under 18 may begin employment. Permits are issued by the minor's school and generally must be renewed each school year. If the employer does not have a permit on file, it is in violation of California law from the moment the minor begins working. Operating without a valid permit is itself a child labor violation, separate from any violations involving hours, conditions, or wages.
How LFECR Helps Families Facing Child Labor Violations
Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights is an employee-side employment law firm founded in 2015 and based in Burbank. We represent workers, including young workers and their families, in all 58 California counties. We never represent employers, and we handle cases on a contingency basis, so you pay no attorney's fees unless we recover for you. Our team assists clients in English and Spanish. Learn more about our firm.
Our Process:
- Call LFECR at 844-619-7541 or fill out the form at the top of this page after hours.
- When you call Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights, do not be alarmed if you’ll need to share your story several times with our legal team.
- You’ll first speak with a Case Evaluator, who is collecting information that they will share with one of our Child Labor Law Attorneys.
- We’ll explain the legal process and guide you along the way – so we can get you the justice you deserve. Call us today.
Talk to a California Child Labor Law Attorney Today
If your child is working too many hours, too late, without a permit, or in unsafe conditions, or was not paid what they earned, you do not have to sort it out alone. The information on this page is general and is not legal advice about your situation.
Contact Lawyers for Employee and Consumer Rights for a free, confidential case review. We will listen to what happened, explain your child's rights, and help your family decide on next steps.
