Introduction

Florida’s economy relies heavily on labor, in various fields such as tourism, construction, retail, and service industries. Teenagers make up a significant portion of this workforce. While employment may offer valuable experience, it raises some legal concerns about worker safety, fair pay and balance with education. Federal labor laws, and State/District laws, serve to regulate teen labor, but gaps in awareness often leave young workers vulnerable.

Legal Framework

Teen labor in Florida is regulated by state and federal law, primarily Florida’s Child Labor Law and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Key principles within the Act include:

• Minors are allowed to work, but only under regulated conditions
• Younger workers receive stricter legal protections
• Employment must not interfere with education or health
• Employers are legally responsible for compliance, not the minor

Scheduling Restrictions

Florida limits how much and when minors may work, especially during the school year when working may coincide with classes.

“When am I allowed to work, since I have school during the week?” asked junior Francisco Cazelato.

Restrictions for 14–15-year-olds:

• Approximately 3 hours on a school day
• Approximately 15 hours total on a school week
• No work early mornings or late nights on school days (before ~7 a.m or after ~7 p.m)
• During summer or school breaks, hours may vary

Restrictions for 16-17-year-olds:

• Usually restricted to around 30 hours on school weeks
• No work early mornings or late nights on school days (before ~7 a.m or after ~7 p.m)
• During summer or school breaks, hours may vary

Prohibition of Hazardous Work

Both state and federal laws have strict prohibition for minors partaking in dangerous jobs.

“Can I work any job I want to, like a construction worker?” questioned junior Jaiden Rosado.

Examples of these jobs include:

• Operating heavy machinery
• Working on roofs or scaffolding
• Logging and saw-milling
• Handling explosives or hazardous equipment

Minimun Wage and Pay Protections

• Florida’s minimum wage is established in the state constitution, namely Article X, Section 24)
• As of 2026, the minimum wage is scheduled to be $15.00 per hour by September 30, 2026.
• While the Federal minimun wage is $7.25, Florida set the rate higher.
• Employers must pay workers for all hours worked, which includes teenagers, who are statistically less likely to report wage theft due to lack of legal understanding

Protection against Retaliation

“Do I have any protections in the workplace?” inquired junior Carlos Moreira.

Protected actions include:

• Reporting unpaid wages
• Filing labor complaints
• Refusing illegal work schedules
• Questioning unlawful practices

Reality for Teen Workers:

• Many are unaware of anti-retaliation protections
• Fear discourages reporting
• Retaliation may still occur despite legal prohibitions

Conclusion

Florida’s labor laws combine federal and state standards to regulate and protect teen workers. These laws seek to:

• Limit hours to protect schooling and health
• Ban hazardous jobs for minors
• Guarantee wages through state minimum wage laws
• Prohibit retaliation for reporting violations

While these laws provide a framework for protection, real world enforcement and awareness are key to making these protections effective.