05/06/2026
DOES YOUR BUSINESS HIRE TEENS FOR THE SUMMER?
If your business will hire employees under the age of 18 this summer, here are the ten things you need to know:
Teens must be at least 14 years old to work in Florida.
No special documentation or permission is needed for your business to hire an employee under 18. Parents do not have to give permission for their child to work for your business, nor do you need to get a special work permit.
You should keep a copy of their driver’s license or birth certificate as proof of their age.
You have to post a Child Labor poster at your workplace if you have employees under 18.
Minors under 18 working at a business owned by their parents have no restrictions on the number of hours they can work, but they cannot work in a job that is considered hazardous.
Employees under 18 cannot work as delivery drivers or operate a motor vehicle as a regular part of their job. 17-year-olds may drive for work but only occasionally and not routinely.
No one under 18 can prepare or serve alcoholic beverages on the job.
16- and 17-year-olds can work in residential construction if they have an OSHA 10 certification and are directly supervised by someone 21 or older who has at least 2 years of related experience and who has their OSHA 10 certification.
Some construction jobs are considered too dangerous for employees under 18. No one under 18 can work on roofs, scaffolding, or ladders higher than 6 feet. They also are prohibited from doing demolitions, wrecking, or excavation. They cannot install or service TV/cable/satellite equipment and cannot service HVAC equipment attached to roofs. They also cannot work around toxic substances including pesticides or herbicides.
Teens aged 14 to 17 can work additional hours during the summer. See below for the restrictions by age group:
During the summer, 14- and 15-year-olds:
Can work up to 8 hours a day and up to 40 hours a week.
Cannot work more than 40 hours a week.
Can only work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Cannot work more than 6 days in a row.
Must be given a 30-minute break after working 4 consecutive hours. The break does not have to be paid.
During the summer, 16- and 17-year-olds:
Can work unlimited hours.
Can work unlimited days in a row.
Can work more than 40 hours in a week but must get overtime pay (time and a half) for all hours over 40 they work.
Must get a 30-minute break after working 4 consecutive hours only if their shift is 8 or more hours. The break can be unpaid.
More resources like this are available on Florida United Businesses Association website
Florida United Businesses Association (FUBA) is a lobbying and trade association representing small businesses in the state of Florida.
