Working as a Teen in Ohio: What Employers Can and Can’t Do

Summer is prime time for teens and young adults to get temporary jobs in Ohio. If you or your teen is working this summer, it’s important to understand the state and federal employment laws that will apply. Employers and business owners are legally required to abide by child labor laws. Knowing your legal protections under wage and hour laws can help you avoid being taken advantage of.

Employers Must Ensure Proper Documentation

Before a teen can get a job in Ohio, he or she must provide the employer with a birth certificate verifying the minor’s age. A schooling certificate must also be presented to show that the child is actively enrolled in school.  

Finally, the teen must obtain a work permit issued by his or her school and a signed parental consent form. Employers must keep all of these documents on record, as well as a written agreement detailing wages and payment details, signed by both parties. Teens entering the workforce through internships should also understand their rights under Ohio’s unpaid internship laws.

Employers Can’t Overwork Teen Employees

To protect a minor’s health and academic performance, there are restrictions in place for how many hours someone under the age of 18 can legally work in Ohio. They vary based on the child’s age and whether or not school is in session:

• 16 to 17 years old: no work before 7:00 a.m. on days when school is in session, or before 6:00 a.m. if the child was not working after 8:00 p.m. the night before. No work after 11:00 p.m. prior to school days.
• 14 to 15 years old: same as ages 16 to 17, with hourly limitations. No work before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. from June 1-September 1 or during any school holiday of five days or more. No work after 7:00 p.m. at any other time. No work beyond 3 hours per day on school days and 18 hours in any school week. No work beyond 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week when school is not in session.

Although there are some exceptions, most minors are not permitted to work while school is in session. Minors also cannot work in any industry that may be hazardous to their well-being. This includes slaughtering and meat processing, chemical manufacturing, power-driven manufacturing jobs, logging, motor vehicle occupations, and mining. 

Employers Must Provide Adequate Rest Breaks

Workers under the age of 18 in Ohio are entitled to rest breaks of at least 30 minutes within any shift that includes working for more than 5 consecutive hours. A rest break must not involve any required job duties or work-related activities. The rest break does not have to be paid and is not included in calculations of how many hours the minor has worked.

Employers Can’t Underpay Teens

Just because an employee is a minor does not mean the state’s wage laws don’t apply. Employers must pay teens fairly according to the law. As of January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Ohio is $10.70 for nontipped employees and $5.35 for tipped employees. Overtime should not be relevant, as teens aren’t allowed to work beyond 40 hours in a single workweek. It’s important to understand what evidence may be needed to prove a wage and hour violation in Ohio, especially if legal action becomes necessary.

What to Do in the Event of a Child Labor Law Violation

If an employer in Ohio is failing to comply with state or federal minor labor laws, take legal action to protect the teen by contacting an experienced employment law lawyer. An attorney can investigate the situation and gather evidence of a legal violation. Then, the attorney can file a claim on your family’s behalf to seek justice and fair financial compensation.

The teen may be entitled to backpay owed by the employer, plus interest and additional damages. Your lawyer can also help you report the employer to the Ohio Wage & Hour Division to prevent the business from taking advantage of any other teens in the future. For a free initial evaluation of your case, contact Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC anytime at (216) 446-8886.