Workplace Laws and Requirements FAQs

Employers must abide by workplace laws and requirements defined on both a federal and state level. All workplace laws are enforced by the Kansas Department of Labor Employment Standards Division. Please select from a Workplace Laws and Requirements category below to get more help. 

null Child Labor Laws

Disclaimer: The information below is not legal advice. If you need legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Is a work permit required?

The state of Kansas requires work permits for children under the age of 16 who are not enrolled in or attending secondary school. 

What hours can children work?

This depends on the child's age. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, children under 16 can work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except from June 1 through Labor Day, when evening hours are extended to 9 p.m. If the employer is not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, the hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. when school is in session. Most employers are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. 

How many hours can children work?

This also depends on the child's age. Children under 16 can work up to three hours on a school day, 18 hours in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day, 40 hours on a non-school week. If the employer is not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, the children under 16 may not work more than eight hours in one day, nor more than 40 hours in one week.