TN Dept. Of Labor Announces Child Labor Law Training For Companies During Summer Hiring Season
FREE SEMINARS OFFERED TO BUSINESSES TO PROMOTE COMPLIANCE
NASHVILLE – The Department of Labor & Workforce Development is working with Tennessee employers that are hiring and training teen workers at their first jobs this summer to make sure those companies are up to date on the state’s child labor laws.
Minors must be at least 14 years of age to be legally employed in Tennessee unless they are working in their parent or legal guardian’s place of business. Minors must present valid proof of age such as a birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, or a state issued identification. Employers must keep their applications on file at the work location.
Allowed Hours of Employment
Tennessee employers must maintain an accurate reflection of the hours worked by each minor employee to show the hours worked and breaks taken during the shift that are required by state statute.
The Department of Labor employs labor standards inspectors within the Regulations and Compliance Division who travel throughout the state visiting businesses that employ minors.
Inspectors can be expected to primarily look for the following during an inspection:
- Proof of age for each minor employed
- Employment applications on file
- Documentation of hours worked
“We have always found the inspectors to be professional, respectful, and very conscious of the fact that we have to continue to take care of our customers while they are in our locations,” Steve Sands, Senior Human Resources Manager of Hardees, a long-time employer of younger workers with over 51 restaurants in Middle Tennessee. “In addition, the inspectors try to lend advice and coaching to the managers when they can.”
Employers are invited to attend free labor training seminars conducted throughout the year. For more information contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Labor Standards Division at (615) 741-2858 Option 3 or (866) 588-9814 Option 3.
- # # # -