Georgia Child Labor Laws
The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) administers the state’s child labor laws and establishes the framework for employing individuals under the age of 18. These laws basically set a minimum employment age, require work permits for minors under the age of 16, limit work hours to protect minors, and place restrictions on the types of jobs they can take. Employers in Georgia must adhere to both state and federal laws and comply with stricter standards that provide maximum protection to minors.
How the State Regulates Child Labor
Georgia regulates youth employment through several key methods. They are as follows:
- Minimum Age: Georgia sets a minimum age for most employment types, with specific exceptions for certain kinds of jobs.
- Work Permits: Minors under 16 must get an Employment Certificate or work permit before starting employment.
- Hour Restrictions: State regulations define the maximum daily and weekly hours a minor can/should work, along with the time-of-day curfews for minors under 16.
- Hazardous Occupations: Both state and federal laws prohibits minors from working in hazardous occupations, such as construction sites, machinery and manufacturing industries, etc.
Relation to Federal Law
Georgia’s child labor laws are quite similar to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). However, in cases of differences, the stricter law is expected to be implemented/enacted. For example, while the state laws allow minors to start working from the age of 12 years for some non-FLSA covered employers, the federal minimum age is 14, which applies to most businesses across the state. Employers subject to the FLSA must follow the work hour limits for 14- and 15-year-olds, since these are stricter than the state laws.
Minimum Working Age in Georgia
In Georgia, the minimum working age for most non-agricultural work is 14 years, as stipulated by federal law. Meanwhile, state law allows minors, as young as 12 years, to work in certain kinds of conditions, but these usually apply only to employers not covered by the federal FLSA.
Exceptions to the minimum age requirement are as follows:
- Delivering newspapers
- Casual babysitting
- Acting or performing in the entertainment industry
- Working for parents
Work Permits for Minors in Georgia
To work in Georgia, minors below the age of 16 must obtain an Employment Certificate. However, as of July 1, 2015, a work permit or an Employment Certificate is not required for minors above 16 years of age, except in the entertainment industry.
The process for obtaining a work permit is as follows:
- After the minor receives a job offer, they must fill out their section of the work permit application, which can be done online or by printing a physical copy.
- Once they fill the form, they must ask their employer to fill in the rest of the details, including the type of work the minor will do on the job.
- The minor must then submit the completed form along with proof of age to an authorized Issuing Officer at their school or the county school superintendent’s office.
- The Issuing Officer verifies the information and issues the work permit, which the minor then gives to their employer.
Note: Employers must maintain a copy of the work permit in their records for the entire duration the minor works for them.
Hour Restrictions for Minors in Georgia
In Georgia, work hour restrictions typically apply to minors under the age of 16. There are no state or federal work hour limitations for minors aged 16 and 17.
For Minors Aged 14 and 15 (as per the federal law):
- Maximum Hours:
- 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours in a school week
- 8 hours on a non-school day or 40 hours in a non-school week
- Time of Day:
- Must not work during school hours.
- Must only work between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM
- Timing can extend to 9:00 PM between June 1 and Labor Day.
Prohibited Jobs for Minors in Georgia
Both the state of Georgia and federal laws prohibit minors from working in hazardous occupations.
| Category | Prohibited Roles (Summary) | Who is Affected |
| Hazardous Machinery | Operating or assisting with most power-driven machinery, including woodworking machines, meat slicers, and bakery machines. | Under 18 |
| Construction and Height-Related Work | All occupations in roofing, demolition, excavation, and working on scaffolding. | Under 18 |
| Motor Vehicles | Driving a motor vehicle or serving as an outside helper on a motor vehicle as part of a job. | Under 18 |
| Manufacturing and Processing | Working in plants that manufacture explosives, bricks, or tiles. Also includes occupations involving exposure to radioactive substances. | Under 18 |
| Loading and Unloading | Loading and unloading goods from trucks, conveyors, or railroad cars. | Under 16 |
| Butchering | All occupations in slaughtering, meat-packing, and rendering. | Under 18 |
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Violating child labor laws in the state of Georgia can result in both civil and criminal penalties for employers.
- Parental Liabilities: While parental consent is needed for minors to receive a work permit, the legal responsibility and penalties for non-compliance fall on the shoulders of employers.
- Employer Penalties:
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- Civil Penalties: Employers who fail to comply with state and federal child labor laws are subject to civil money penalties. These are typically gauged based on the severity of the offense, with penalties increasing for repeat violations.
- Criminal Penalties: Willful and knowing violations of child labor laws may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor and may result in fines and/or imprisonment.
HR Notifications and Documentation
Employers and their HRs must maintain proper documentation to ensure compliance with Georgia’s child labor laws.
| Document/Notice | What to Keep or Post | Retention & Update Notes |
| Employment Certificate (Work Permit) | A valid, issued work permit for every employee under the age of 16. | Must be kept on the premises for the duration of employment. |
| Proof of Age | Documentation verifying the minor’s age, such as a birth certificate. | Required for issuing a work permit and should be kept to verify eligibility. |
| Time and Payroll Records | Accurate records of all hours worked and wages paid. | Must be retained for at least 3 years. |
| Required Posters | Required state and federal labor law posters must be displayed in a conspicuous place. | The Georgia Department of Labor allows for electronic posting on a company’s website in a prominent location. |
Got questions?
The minimum working age in Georgia is 14, in line with the federal FLSA. However, the state laws allow 12-year-olds to get employment in businesses not covered by the FLSA.
No. As of July 1, 2015, 16 and 17-year-olds are not required to obtain a work permit to work in the state of Georgia, unless they work in the entertainment industry.
No. In Georgia, neither state nor federal laws define any work hour restrictions for minors aged 16 or 17.
The process is quite simple. The minor must fill in an online form or a physical form. Then, they must get their employer to fill in the necessary details. Once done, they must submit the form along with age proof to a school Issuing Officer and receive their employment certificate.
Employers who violate the child labor laws can face civil money penalties that vary depending on the severity of the violation. Willful violations can further result in criminal misdemeanor charges.
