A Practical Guide to Child Labor Compliance Under the FLSA

Child labor enforcement remains a significant focus for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, and employers across industries face heightened scrutiny of their youth employment practices. To help organizations navigate these obligations, Scott Hecker, Senior Counsel in Conn Maciel Carey LLP’s national Labor & Employment Practice, recently authored a Child Labor Law Checklist, published by LexisNexis Practical Guidance. The resource provides a clear overview of federal child labor requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and offers practical guidance for evaluating compliance.

The checklist highlights the core elements employers should review when assessing their youth employment programs, including:

Age‑based hour restrictions for workers under 16
Agricultural work exceptions
Oppressive child labor and “hot goods” provisions
Subminimum wage rules for workers under 20
Eligibility verification, including age documentation and work permits
Policy development addressing wage compliance, hour limitations, and restricted duties
Training for managers and youth workers
Monitoring working conditions and hazardous occupation restrictions
Vendor and third‑party oversight
Recordkeeping and documentation obligations under federal and state law

As federal enforcement activity continues to rise, and with potential regulatory changes on the horizon, employers should take proactive steps to review their policies, train supervisors, and ensure their youth employment practices align with both legal requirements and best‑practice standards.