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Understand Teen Work Hours

Every employer must follow fair work hours. Typically, employees can only work 38 regular hours per week, must receive extra pay for shifts that extend outside the normal 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. hours and receive mandatory meal and rest breaks. The rules are stricter for teens, so understand them before you hire young workers.  

Teen Work Hours

Here's a summary of the hours teens may work.

14-15 year old teens, school weeks:

  • 3 hours per day, Monday through Friday

  • 8 hours Saturday and Sunday

  • Max 16 hours per week, 6 days a week

  • Start 7 a.m., quit 7 p.m.
14-15 year old teens, non-school weeks:

  • 8 hours per day, Monday through Sunday

  • Max 40 hours per week, 6 days a week

  • Start 7 a.m., quit 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. June 1 to Labor Day
16-17 year old teens, school weeks:

  • 4 hours per day, Monday through Thursday

  • 8 hours Friday through Sunday

  • Max 20 hours per week, 6 days a week

  • Start 7 a.m., quit 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, midnight Saturday and Sunday
16-17 year old teens, school weeks with a special variance that proves the teen can handle school and work:

  • 6 hours per day, Monday through Thursday, 8 hours Friday through Sunday

  • Max 28 hours per week, 6 days a week

  • Start 7 a.m., quit 10 p.m. or midnight Friday and Saturday
16-17 year old teens, non-school weeks:

  • 8 hours per day

  • Max 48 hours per week, 6 days a week

  • Start 5 a.m., quit midnight
Breaks and Meals

Any teen employee under 18 years of age must be provided with regular breaks and meals. Meal breaks must last 30 minutes for individuals who work more than five hours in a day. For every four hours worked, teens must receive at least one 10-minute paid rest break. Additionally, employees who are 14 and 15 years old must receive a separate 30-minute uninterrupted meal at least once per four-hour shift and a paid 10-minute rest break every two hours.

How to Hire a Teen

Now that you understand teen work hours, follow several steps as you hire teen employees.

  • Obtain and post a Minor Work Permit that's available at bls.dor.wa.gov. Reapply for it annually.

  • Obtain a signed authorization form from the teen's parent and school

  • Obtain and file a copy of the teen's birth certificate or other proof of age
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