If you didn't hear, Rita's Italian Ice located in Hialeah, Florida, was recently fined over $15,000 by the Department of Labor for allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to work outside of "legally permitted hours." What are the legally permitted hours for minors to work, you ask? Great question. The rules are detailed and specific; some are federal and some are state. I will summarize them here.

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There are different rules for different age groups. For 14- and 15-year-olds, they are subject to the most detailed restrictions. Such youths cannot work:

• More than 3 hours on a school day, including Friday;
• More than 15 hours per week when school is in session (and not during school hours);
• More than 8 hours per day when school is not in session;
• More than 6 consecutive days;
• More than 40 hours per week when school is not in session;
• Before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. on any day, except from June 1 through Labor Day, when nighttime work hours are extended to 9:00 p.m.; and
• More than 4 continuous hours without a minimum of 30-minutes for a meal period.

There are some exceptions to these rules for those who have graduated from high school, are excused from compulsory school attendance (homeschooling does not count here), or are enrolled in an approved Work Experience or Career Exploration Program or Work-Study program, among others. Seek counsel if you think an exception may apply to minors you employ.