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Section 103.64-82 of the Wisconsin Statutes requires that the department promulgate administrative rules ( Chapter DWD 270 of the Wisconsin Administrative Rules) to establish hours of work, time of day and prohibited employment for minors 11 through 17 years of age and take enforcement action.
The links (bookmarks) in the Frequently Asked Questions take you to that section in this Publication.
The links in the Text take you to either a page in our website, a section in the Wisconsin Statutes or a section in the Wisconsin Administrative Code.
Employers of minors are subject to certain restrictions when scheduling those minors to work. The time of day when they may be employed, including how early and how late, and the number of hours which they may work per day and per week are all regulated. These restrictions depend on the age of the minor and whether or not school is in session during the period they are employed. Only high school graduates and other minors who are exempt from school attendance may be employed the same hours as an adult. Although a given minor's required school hours may differ from another minor's required school hours, no minor may be allowed to work during hours they are required to be in school.
In addition to the hours and time of day restrictions, all minors must have at least a 1/2 hour meal break if they work more than 6 consecutive hours and no minor, excluding only those who are 14 to 17 years old working in agriculture, may be allowed to work more than 6 days in any workweek.
Employers employing minors through written school work experience programs do not need to count the hours worked as part of this program during regular school hours towards the total hours a minor is allowed to work per day or per week.
The regulations concerning the daily or weekly hours minors may work can be found on the back of the copy of the work permit issued to the minor and the employer.
Child labor refers to the employment of anyone under the age of 18 in any type of business. Minors may be employed only in certain types of work until they turn 18 and are no longer subject to the law. They may also be employed only during certain hours of the day and of the week. The time of day and types of employment in which they are allowed to work depend on both the age of the minor and whether or not school is in session during the period of their employment. Every employer is responsible for having a work permit on file for a given minor before allowing that same minor to work in his or her establishment. The employer is also responsible for making sure that minors work only the hours allowed. Enforced by a complaint to the Equal Rights Division within 2 years or through circuit court.