What about work permits/employment rules?

A work permit is required before anyone under the age of 16 is allowed to work in any job with the exception of agriculture or domestic service work.

Employers must have a work permit on file for the minor being employed before they may allow the minor to begin work.

Details on how and where to obtain a work permit are here.

State youth employment laws prohibit work during times that minors are required to be in school, except for students participating in work experience and career exploration programs operated by the school.

Homeschoolers can work during public school hours since the hours that homeschoolers are “required to be in school” are not necessarily the hours that public school students are required to be in school.  Homeschools set their own hours of instruction.

NOTE: Since there are certain conditions which subject some employers to both federal and state rules, and they are required to comply with the more stringent section of the two in these cases, 14-15 year olds should work with their employer in determining which hours they may work (federal rules are more stringent regarding school hours for 14-15 year olds.).

For more information:

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Child Labor Laws

U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division – Child Labor