Important reminders for hiring youth workers in Iowa

Summer is just around the corner, and with it comes a wave of hiring teenagers. Even though as of this writing we haven’t finished the Drake Relays in Des Moines and most likely have at least one more chance of snow in our future, employers are thinking about when school ends and potentially hiring youth workers in Iowa. Employers who hire a significant number of people under the age of 18 generally have well-established programs and clear guidelines for how youth workers are hired. For those who only occasionally hire someone under the age of 18, here are some important reminders.

State vs. federal law

Youth wage and hour laws and restrictions on workers under 18 are governed by both state and federal law. The state statute has significantly more specificity than federal law and should be assessed before hiring any person under the age of 18.

Work permits

Work permits are required for minors who are 14 or 15 years old for most jobs in Iowa, and information regarding this necessity can be found on the Iowa Division of Labor website (https://www.iowadivisionoflabor.gov/iowa-child-labor-permit-instructions).