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Regulations and Policies

Regulations & Policies

Human Resources


I. OBJECTIVE & PURPOSE

This policy outlines the employment standards for persons under age 18 in accordance with Chapter 450, Florida Statutes and the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It is designed to ensure safe, lawful, and educationally appropriate work experiences for minors employed by the University of North Florida.

II. STATEMENT OF POLICY

  1. Prohibition Against Hiring in Benefits-Eligible Positions
    UNF does not authorize hiring of minors into benefit-eligible positions.  As a result, minors should not be appointed to positions that are reasonably expected to work 30 or more hours per week on average over a 12-month period.

  2. Eligibility & School Status
    Minors must be enrolled in and attending school—whether brick-and-mortar, virtual, or homeschool—unless legally withdrawn or graduated. Employment must not interfere with school attendance or academic performance. Minors may not work during school hours when school is in session unless a waiver has been approved. Proof of enrollment or waiver documentation must be submitted prior to hiring.

  3. Work Hour Restrictions

    Minors 14 – 15 Years of Age

    When Public School Is In Session
    When public school is in session, this age group may work up to 15 hours each week (seven-day period). This includes a maximum of 3 hours per day on school days and up to 8 hours per day on Saturday and 8 hours on Sunday and 8 hours on non-school days, when a school day does not follow. They may work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. but may not work during public school hours.

    When Public School is Not In Session
    When school is not in session, June 1st through Labor Day, 14- and 15-year-old minors may work up to 8 hours each day and 40 hours per week between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

    Minors 16 – 17 Years of Age
     
    When Public School Is In Session
    When public school is in session, minors 16 and 17 may not work before 6:30 a.m. or after 11 p.m. or for more than 8 hours per day, when school is scheduled the following day, nor during the hours that school is in session. These hour limitations do not apply on non-school days when a school day does not follow, during non-school weeks, and during summer vacation. 

    When Public School Is Not In Session
    When school does not follow the next day, such as Friday, Saturday, and other days that precede Sunday and a holiday, minors 16 and 17 years of age may work until their shift is completed.

    Example: A minor begins work on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and the shift ends at 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning. This is not considered a violation of the regulation that minors may not work before 6:30 a.m. when school is scheduled the following day, because the minor is completing his Saturday shift, and not beginning a work shift before 6:30 a.m. on Sunday.

  4. Additional Requirements
    Minors 15 years and younger are not permitted to work more than six consecutive days in one week. This applies throughout the year.  A 30-minute uninterrupted break is required after 4 consecutive hours of work.

  5. Prohibited Duties
    Minors under 18 are prohibited from performing hazardous duties as defined by Florida Statute § 450.061 and the FLSA, including but not limited to:
    1. Operating heavy machinery, motor vehicles, forklifts
    2. Operating a golf cart on a public roadway
    3. Roofing, scaffolding, or ladder work over 6 feet
    4. Using meat slicers, bakery equipment, circular saws
    5. Exposure to toxic substances or radioactive materials

  6. Position Evaluation Requirement
    Before a minor is appointed to any position, the role must be evaluated by the University of North Florida (UNF) Director of Environmental Health and Safety or their designee to ensure it does not violate Florida Statute § 450.061 or the FLSA. Documentation of this evaluation must be retained in Workday.

  7. Waiver Procedures
    Minors may be granted a waiver to work during school hours or over 30 hours/week for minors age 16 and older. Waivers are valid for one year or until the minor turns 18. Renewal requires updated documentation.
    1. School Waiver
      For minors attending public school, an Authorization For Partial Waiver Of Florida Child Labor Law School .  The waiver form can be found at Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website at: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/child-labor/
    2. Non-School Waiver
      For minors not attending public school, an Application for Waiver of Florida Child Labor Law Form from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation should be completed by the Hiring Unit and submitted to Human Resources along with other hire documentation. The waiver form can be found at Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website at: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/child-labor/

  8. Background Check
    Pursuant to University Policy 4.0080R, Background Checks, employees in the work unit in which the minor is hired must complete a Level II background check if one has not already been completed.

History: New 5/12/2026.


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