What are the restrictions on paying workers under the age of 18?
In California, the minimum wage for workers under the age of 18 is lower than that of an adult worker. Employers are required to pay workers under the age of 18 at least $6.75 per hour. This wage rate is known as the “youth minimum wage” and is the legal minimum wage for workers under the age of 18 in California. In addition to the youth minimum wage, employers must also comply with the Minimum Wage Order for agricultural workers. This order states that workers who are employed in agriculture related activities must be paid the same minimum wage as an adult employee. When it comes to the amount of hours that a worker under the age of 18 is allowed to work, employers must comply with the regulations set out by the Department of Labor. Generally speaking, young workers are only allowed to work a maximum of 8 hours per day, and 48 hours per week, unless they are employed in certain agricultural activities. In this instance, young workers may exceed the maximum hours requirement but only if they are under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian. In addition, young workers are strictly prohibited from working in hazardous occupations and are only allowed to work from 7am to 7pm, except during the summer months when they are allowed to work until 9pm. In summary, when it comes to the wages and hours of workers under the age of 18 in California, employers must adhere to a much stricter set of regulations than those placed upon adult employees. Employers must pay the youth minimum wage, and comply with the Department of Labor’s regulations regarding hours worked, and hazardous occupations.
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