How to Hire Minors

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How to Hire Minors	in Spanish

Hiring teen workers in agriculture

See the fact sheet Young Workers in Agriculture (F700-096-909) for more information.

Steps a business must follow

Obtain a Minor Work Permit endorsement within 3 days of hiring a minor. Contact the Department of Licensing or any L&I office. The business must post their Master Business License with current minor work permit endorsement. This must be renewed annually.
Obtain a Parent/School Authorization Form (F700-002-000). Before employing a minor, the business must have the minor's legal guardian and school (during the school year) complete the Parent/School Authorization form and keep it in their files. This form is sent to the business with the renewal of the minor work permit, or they can obtain it from L&I. They must keep the completed form on file. It must be renewed annually. When school is not in session, a school signature is not required.
Obtain proof of minor’s age. The business must keep proof of age on file. Examples include a copy of a birth certificate or driver’s license, or a witnessed statement of the parent or legal guardian.
Keep employment records for 3 years after you hire a minor. The business must keep information such as the worker's name, address, occupation, dates of employment, rate(s) of pay, amount paid each pay period and the hours worked. These records must be available to the worker on request at any reasonable time.

Special rules, exceptions and penalties when hiring teens

Note:

These child labor rules do not apply to immediate family members of farm owners.

How old do kids have to be to work?

The minimum age for teens working in agricultural jobs is 14.

The one exception is: 12- and 13-year-old children may work during non-school months (June 1 - Labor Day) hand-harvesting berries, bulbs, cucumbers and spinach.
Can businesses seek variances to allow kids to work more hours?

Variances will be allowed for “good cause” — to meet crop or harvest requirements or for weather emergencies, when the business can show that the variance will not harm the minor’s health, safety, welfare and school performance, for example. More information about variances.
Are there penalties for violating minor work rules?

Yes! The Department of Labor and Industries can fine employers who do not follow these requirements.

What else does an employer need to know about hiring teens?

Adolescence is a time of rapid change and learning. A few “tips” can help keep them safe in the workplace:

Teens are entitled to a safe and healthy work environment just as adults do. Follow all the health and safety requirements. If assistance is needed, contact a WISHA health and safety consultant in your area.
Teens are entitled to workers’ compensation the same as adults.
Teens require increased supervision and lots of repetition to learn new skills.
Teens should be encouraged to ask questions and ask for assistance if they are unsure of how to do assigned tasks.

For more detail, see L&I Administrative Policy:
School Week and Work Week for Minors (ES.C.4.1) (134 KB PDF).

For more detail, see Washington Administrative Code:
Agriculture Employment Rules (WAC 296-131).