This guide is for employers who hire minor workers. Every employer who hires young workers should know that in general:

• A work permit is required for minors and can be obtained through the child’s school.
• In the summer, minors aged 16-17 may work between 6:00 am and 11:30 pm. During the school year, minors aged 16-17 may only work between the hours of 6:00 am and 10:30 pm except on Fridays and Saturdays, when they can work until 11:30 pm.
• Minors under 16 years of age may only be employed between the hours of 7:00 am and 9:00 pm.
• Minors can’t handle cash after 8:00 pm or sunset (whichever is earlier) unless there is another employee present who is at least 18.
• Minors can’t sell or serve alcoholic beverages, but a minor over the age of 16 (or 14 in a retail setting) can work where alcohol is being sold if alcohol doesn’t exceed 50 % of sales.
• The Michigan Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (minimum wage law) allows employers to pay minors 85% of established minimum wage. This means the minimum wage for minors is currently $8.20 (85% of $9.65).
• Teens under the age of 20 may be paid a training hourly wage of $4.25 for the first 90 days of employment.
• Teens working in amusement or recreational establishments are not entitled to overtime pay if the establishment is not open more than 7 months of the year.
• A 30 minute rest period is required for minors after five hours of continuous work.
• Individuals must be at least 18 to operate power-driven equipment such as meat slicers, mixers, saws and motorized vehicles.
• Teens who are immediate family members in family owned businesses are exempt for minimum wage laws.