Pain Points: Summer Workers

Summertime is finally here, and as the general manager of the city’s parks and recreation department, you’re tasked with staffing the pool with enough lifeguards and workers to fill the snack bar.  Most of these workers are high school students under the age of 18.  On Saturday, you know that you are going to be short staffed, and you are looking for extra help.  

One of the workers who is not already scheduled on Saturday but is available to work is 16 years old- but they have already worked 38 hours this week, and covering the shift would push them over 40 hours worked, meaning overtime.  Can 16-year-olds work overtime during the summer when they aren’t in school?

As a benefit of an ASK HR subscription with myHRcounsel, our attorneys can help businesses comply with the many requirements of the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and managing a workforce with child workers.  The Department of Labor has indicated that child labor law enforcement is a high priority, with violations up 14% in 2023.