The Kansas Department of Labor enforces child labor laws in Kansas and has established a strong legal framework governing the employment of minors in the state. These regulations are designed to ensure that employment does not hamper a minor’s education or well-being and protects them from workplace exploitation. A closer look at Kansas’ child labor laws shows that they typically define the minimum working age for minors, set limits on hours and days minors can work, work permit requirements, and list occupations that minors are prohibited from working in.
Employers must adhere to both state and federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and always comply with the stricter provisions to protect the interests of minors.
How the State Regulates Child Labor
Kansas has built a strong mechanism to manage youth employment across the state.
- Minimum Age: All minors above 14 years of age can seek employment in Kansas, with some exceptions for those below 14.
- Work Permits: Only 14 and 15-year-olds who are not enrolled in or attending secondary school are required to obtain a work permit.
- Hour Restrictions: The law defines specific maximum daily and weekly hours, and time-of-day curfews. However, these vary by age and whether school is in session.
- Hazardous Occupations: Both state and federal laws identify some specific types of jobs and tasks that are considered too dangerous for minors, and they must not be employed in these prohibited occupations.
Relation to Federal Law
In Kansas, employers must follow both state and federal child labor laws, and where the two differ, they must follow the stricter rules. For instance, the federal law is more restrictive for 14- and 15-year-olds. It sets a 7:00 PM curfew on school nights, which overrides the state’s 10:00 PM curfew. Therefore, employers must follow the federal rule to protect the interests of minors. For 16 and 17-year-olds, neither state nor federal law imposes any restrictions on working hours.
Minimum Working Age in Kansas
According to the state laws, the general minimum working age in Kansas for non-agricultural jobs is 14 years. However, some exceptions exist. These include:
- Working for parents in a non-hazardous workplace.
- Performing household chores or other casual labor work in or around a private home.
- Delivery or messenger work, such as a paper route.
- Performing agricultural work.
- Working in the entertainment industry (special rules apply).
Work Permits for Minors in Kansas
The state does not require minors to have a work permit to get employed in Kansas. However, it does mandate minors under 16 years of age to get a work permit if they are not enrolled in or attending a secondary school.
Employers must maintain a record of a minor’s age proof in their records for audit and compliance purposes.
Hour Restrictions for Minors in Kansas
In Kansas, work hour restrictions vary depending on a minor’s age and whether school is in session.
For Minors Aged 14 and 15:
- During the School Year (stricter federal rules apply):
- A minimum of 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week
- Must only work between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM
- Must not work during school hours.
- During Summer Vacation (June 1 to Labor Day):
- A minimum of 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week
- Must work between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM only.
For Minors Aged 16 and 17:
- No state or federal restrictions on the number of hours or the times of this age group must work
Note: All minors must receive a 30-minute break for every 5 consecutive hours worked.
Prohibited Jobs for Minors in Kansas
Both Kansas and federal laws prohibit minors from working in hazardous occupations. These are as follows:
| Category |
Prohibited Roles (Summary) |
Who is Affected |
| Hazardous Machinery |
Operating or assisting with most power-driven machinery, including meat slicers, bakery machines, paper balers, and most power tools. |
Under 18 |
| Construction & Height-Related Work |
Most occupations are in construction, wrecking, demolition, roofing, and excavation. |
Under 18 |
| Driving & Motor Vehicles |
Driving a motor vehicle or serving as an outside helper on a motor vehicle as part of a job. Limited exceptions exist for 17-year-olds under very strict federal guidelines. |
Under 18 |
| Manufacturing, Mining & Processing |
Work in or around plants that manufacture explosives; all occupations in mining; and meat processing. |
Under 18 |
| Public Utilities & Warehousing |
Most jobs are in public utilities, warehousing, and transportation. |
Under 16 |
| Food Service |
Cooking (except with electric or gas grills that do not involve open flames) and baking (with some exceptions). Minors under 16 may not operate deep fryers unless they are equipped with an automatic basket-lifting device. |
Under 16 |
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Kansas does not have any state-specific penalty amounts. Hence, employers who violate child labor laws are subject to federal penalties.
- Parental Liabilities: Employers are legally responsible for complying with the child labor laws. Parents are generally not liable for employer violations.
- Employer Penalties:
-
- Federal Penalties: Employers can face federal civil money penalties if they violate FLSA rules. The U.S. Department of Labor typically issues penalties per violation and not per minor, which can significantly increase the total fine amount. Penalties can be adjusted based on:
- The willfulness of violations
- The number of violations
- The age of minors
- The type of hazardous work
- Whether any injuries occurred.
HR Notifications and Documentations
All organizations, and especially their HR departments, must maintain proper records of all minor employees for compliance purposes.
| Document/Notice |
What to Keep or Post |
Retention & Update Notes |
| Proof of Age |
A copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license, or other valid document verifying the minor’s age. |
Recommended to keep on file for all minor employees . |
| Time and Payroll Records |
Accurate records of daily and weekly hours worked and all wages paid. |
Must be retained to demonstrate compliance with hour restrictions. Federal law requires a 3-year retention period . |
| Required Posters |
Display all mandatory state and federal labor law posters in a conspicuous location. |
Posters should be current and visible to all employees. The Kansas Child Labor poster is only required for employers not covered by the FLSA . |
| Work Permit |
A state-issued work permit for any employee under 16 who is not enrolled in school. |
Keep on file for the duration of employment . |
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