Breaks: While there is no specific state law requiring breaks for minors, federal law (FLSA) requires that if an employee works more than 5 consecutive hours, they must be given a break of at least 30 minutes. So, if a 16-year-old is working 8 consecutive hours, they must be provided with at least a 30-minute break.
The California Supreme Court has concluded that California's employment laws govern all work performed within the state, regardless of the residence or domicile of the worker.
All workers have rights on the job. In California, workers are protected by labor laws. It does not matter where you were born or what your legal status is. Once you are hired, you have rights.
The Professional Exemption sets out eight specific professions (law, medicine, dentistry, optometry, architecture, engineering, teaching, and accounting) that are exempt from the first 12 sections of the Wage Orders. It also addresses certain other professions, including nurses, pharmacists and software coders.
In general, when an individual resides in California, they are subject to California's comprehensive and protective labor laws regardless of where their employer is located. California laws also apply to those who are legal residents of other states but are working in California.
Minors 14 and 15 years of age When school is in session, they may work a maximum of 3 hours a day on school days, a maximum of 8 hours a day on non-school days, a maximum of 18 hours a week during school weeks. They may work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. They may not work during school hours.
They may work 4 hours per day on any school day, 8 hours on any non-school day or any day preceding a non-school day, up to 48 hours per week, and between a.m. and p. m., except on evenings preceding non-school days, the minor may work until a.m.
Getting Your Working Papers If you are in school, go to your guidance office and ask for a Working Papers Application. If you are not in school, go to the nearest school district as they are required to give you the application. During school vacation periods, these offices stay open part-time to issue working papers.
You will need working papers if you are under 18 years old. Working papers are divided into two age groups (14-15 and 16-17):Find out how to get working papers and what you will need to get them.
Getting Your Working Papers If you are in school, go to your guidance office and ask for a Working Papers Application. If you are not in school, go to the nearest school district as they are required to give you the application. During school vacation periods, these offices stay open part-time to issue working papers.