Wisconsin Minor Labor Restrictions
activeWisconsin requires work permits for all minors under 18. Minors aged 16-17 may work up to 26 hours during a school week and 5 hours on a school day. Minors under 16 must receive a 30-minute break for every 6 hours of work. Supervision is required for minors working after 12:30 AM. The state has detailed restrictions on permissible occupations and work hours for each age group.
Applicability
Requirements
- Work Permits
- Description
- Work permits are required for all minors under 18 in Wisconsin. Permits are issued by the minor's school district or the Department of Workforce Development.
- Required Ages
- under 18
- Issuing Authority
- Local school district or Department of Workforce Development
- Ages 16 17
- Description
- Minors aged 16-17 have restrictions on hours during the school year.
- Max Hours School Day
- 5
- Max Hours School Week
- 26
- Max Hours Nonschool Week
- 50
- Work Permit Required
- Yes
- Late Night Supervision
- Adult supervision required for minors working after 12:30 AM
- Under 16 Breaks
- Description
- Minors under 16 must receive a 30-minute break for every 6 hours of work.
- Meal Break Minutes
- 30
- Meal Break Trigger Hours
- 6
- Ages 14 15
- Description
- Minors aged 14-15 face more restrictive hour limitations than 16-17 year olds and may not work in many occupations.
- Work Permit Required
- Yes
- Under 14
- Description
- Children under 14 are generally prohibited from employment in Wisconsin, with limited exceptions for agricultural work, domestic work, and entertainment.
Penalties
Employers who violate Wisconsin's child labor laws may be subject to forfeitures and fines. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development enforces these provisions.
Notes
Wisconsin's late-night supervision requirement for minors working after 12:30 AM is a distinctive provision not found in many states. The state's child labor laws are administered by the Department of Workforce Development's Equal Rights Division.