Fourteen-year-olds can work in many job industries, but the type of work they can do is limited to nonhazardous activities such as in amusement centers, hotels and bakeries. Kids must have a work permit and only work the hours allowed for 14-year-olds by the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards and Fair Labor Standards Act.
Work Schedule
Children who are 14 years old can work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. no more than six days in a row for one week during the school year. During summer when school is out, kids can work until 9 p.m., but no later. They cannot work more than three hours day and no more than 18 hours a week during the school year. During the summer, they can work eight hours a day and only 40 hours a week.
Sign Waver
A 14-year-old can work as a sign waver if the job is directly in front of the business employing the child. If the job requires the person to walk around, leaving the front of the business, a 14-year-old child cannot perform this type of work.
Gas Station
A 14-year-old child can perform jobs at a gas station pumping gas and washing car windows. However, he cannot cashier or work in the garage or car wash on the premises. Fourteen-year-olds must be under the supervision of an adult who is on the premises.
Newspaper Carrier
Newspaper carriers must be 14 years old or older. Some newspaper companies may have restrictions of their own for carriers, but many newspapers employee 14-year-olds for morning, afternoon and weekend paper delivery. Newspaper carriers are not subject to the child labor laws set forth by the Fair Labor Standards Act and can work outside of the set time limits because some newspapers must be delivered before 7 a.m.
Babysitting
Fourteen-year-olds can obtain employment as babysitters. Although no special training is needed, many organizations have local babysitting classes available for young people who want a babysitting certificate saying that they have taken and passed the babysitting class. The class teaches what to do in an emergency, what telephone numbers to have available and perform CPR.
Farm Help
Someone who is 14 years old can work on a farm, but the job duties are limited. She can clean out stables and feed livestock by hand. Kids this age cannot drive tractors or operate heavy machinery or feed machinery. They cannot work in pens or stables with cows that have a new calf, stud horses, bulls or sows with piglets. These guidelines do not pertain to children employed by their parents on a farm.
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