Youth Employment

Regulations and Resources

Dear parents and teens:
Part One is designed to offer information on the necessary steps required to obtain a Worker's Permit in Dartmouth and details about laws regulating youth employment in Massachusetts. The second section offers information about state and Federal laws governing youth employment in general, including how to protect the rights of juveniles, filing complaints and reporting concerns about places that employ youth.

Part One

MA laws governing Youth Employment:

Teens 14 and under, legally (with few exceptions) cannot work. Details

Teens 14 and 15 years of age may work:

Only between 7AM and 7PM during the school year and not during school hours.
Only between 7AM and 9PM during the summer. (July 1 through Labor Day)
When School is in session: 18 hours a week, 3 hours a day on school days, eight hours a day on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Not more than 6 days a week.
When school is not in session: Not more than 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week, not more than six days a week.
Kinds of work not permitted: Details

Teens 16 and 17 years of age may work:

Only between 6AM and 10PM (Except in restaurants until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays and during school vacations.)
Maximum hours of work - whether school is in session or not: 48 hours a week, 9 hours a day, 6 days a week.
Kinds of work not permitted: Details

Worker Permits

Teens 14-17 years of age living in Dartmouth must have a Worker's Permit. Follow these steps:

For Teens 14-15 year of age:

Obtain Application from Superintendent's Office, 8 Bush Street, South Dartmouth. Phone 508-997-3391.
Have both your physician and your intended employer sign the form.
With a parent/guardian, return completed form to Superintendent's Office.
Bring your birth certificate with you. (And remember, your parent must go too!)
If you are a Dartmouth resident but attend another school (like Voke, etc) bring a school ID Card or other proof of attendance with you.
Once the above is completed, you will be issued a Work Permit.

For Teens 16 and 17 years of age:

Go to Superintendent's Office.
Bring birth certificate, Driver's License or other proof of age.
If you are a Dartmouth resident but attend another school (like Voke, etc) bring a school ID Card or other proof of attendance with you.
If you are 16 or 17 years of age your parent/guardian does not need to accompany you.
Once the above is completed, you will be issued a Work Permit.

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Part Two

Online Resources

Massachusetts Child Labor Laws: Official Massachusetts site detailing all State laws and regulations governing youth employment. http://www.mass.gov/dph/bhsre/ohsp/cll.htm

Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General: The AG's Office is responsible for enforcing the laws regulating youth employment in Massachusetts. Start here when seeking to file a complaint, etc.
http://www.ago.state.ma.us/sp.cfm?pageid=1119

Youth Rules! An excellent interactive site by the US Department of Labor for teens, parents, employers and educators. This site is loaded with safety tips for teens working in a variety of settings. Check it out! http://www.youthrules.dol.gov/teens/default.htm

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