Three copies of the work permit are issued.
(1) The teenager takes the first copy to the employer. The employer must keep that copy at the work place. If the teenager changes jobs, a new work permit must be issued for the new job. The teenager may not use the same permit that was when school is not in session issued to the previous employer.
(2) The second copy is kept on file at the school.
(3) The third copy, along with the Intention to Employ and Parent’s Permission forms, is sent to the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry by the Issuing Officer at each school.
Minimum Age - With certain limited exceptions, children under the age of fourteen are not permitted to work. Therefore, children under fourteen are not issued work permits.
Hours of Work
Teenagers sixteen and seventeen years of age have no restrictions on their hours of work.
Teenagers fourteen and fifteen years of age engaged in non-agricultural work may not work:
- During school hours unless they are enrolled in a school work-training program
- More than forty hours in any one week when school is not in session
- More than eighteen hours in any one week when school is in session.
- More than eight hours in any one day week when school is not in session.
- More than three hours in any one day when school is in session.
Before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m., except that from June 1 through Labor Day, the teenager may work until 9 p.m. Five hours of continuous work without a 30 minute rest or meal period
Teenagers fourteen and fifteen years of age engaged in agricultural work may not work:
- During school hours unless they are employed by their parents on farms, gardens or orchards owned by their parents
- Five hours of continuous work without a 30-minute break.
Note: According to 16 VAC 15-40-10, "school hours" means those periods when the school attended by the minor is in regular session, and does not include hours before and after school, Saturdays and Sundays, holidays, or school vacations, including summer vacations. If the minor does not attend school, “school.hours" shall mean the school hours of the school district in which the minor is currently living.
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