The State of Michigan's Employment Laws on Minors
Many years ago, minors were routinely employed in factories and farms across America because they provided a cheap and abundant workforce. Often, employment took precedence over education. Over the course of the 20th century, however, states began to enact laws to protect minors in the workforce. As a result, minors who wish to work in the state of Michigan, and employers who wish to employ them, must understand and abide by the state's laws regarding minors in the workplace.
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Age Guidelines
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As a general rule, minors must be at least 14 years of age in order to work in Michigan. Children who are at least 11 years old may work as a golf or bridge caddy or may also work as a sports referee. Children who are at least 13 years of age may work detasseling corn, hoeing or in other similar farm activities or work setting traps for skeet or sport shooting. Minors may not be employed in anything considered hazardous work. Minors 14 to 17 years old may work where alcohol is sold or consumed if at least 50 percent of the business is the sale of food or goods other than alcohol. Minors 14 and 15 years old may not work in the area of the business where alcohol is consumed, and no minor may sell, furnish or serve alcohol.
Work Permit
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All minors who wish to work must first obtain a work permit. Work permits are issued by the Chief Administrator of the school system. A CA-6 form is used for minors under the age of 16, while a CA-7 is for minors between the ages of 16 and 18. A prospective employee must first request the form from her school and fill out the employee section. The prospective employer then fills out his part of the permit, and the student returns the form to the school. The school district will then review the request and approve or deny it. If a student is not meeting satisfactory academic progress in school, then the school may not approve the request.
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Minimum Wage
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Michigan's minimum wage law applies to businesses that employ two or more employees age 16 or older. Under Michigan law, an employer may pay employees who are 16 or 17 years old 85 percent of the current minimum wage. Michigan law also allows minors to be paid a "training wage," which is less than the federal minimum wage, for the first 90 days of employment. Minors under the age of 16 are not addressed in the Michigan law, meaning that they fall under the federal minimum wage laws and must be paid the federal minimum wage.
Exceptions
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There are certain minors who are exempted under the Michigan employment of minors laws and regulations. A minor who is 16 or 17 years of age and has completed high school or who is 17 and has completed the GED examination is exempt from the hours, work permit and hazardous employment laws, as the individual is considered a legally emancipated minor. Minors who are working for a business owned by their parents, on a farm planting or harvesting crops or as co-op students for businesses that have a contract with the school board are also exempt.
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