Child labor — Missouri

Missouri and federal law regulate the employment of minors under age 18 by restricting

• the occupations in which they can work
• the number of hours they can work each day
• the tasks they are allowed to do.

All employers in Missouri must follow Missouri’s child labor laws. Employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must comply with FLSA’s child labor law requirements, as well.

Defining a child under labor laws

Except as specifically authorized by the statute, it is illegal to employ a child in Missouri under 14 years of age (other than in entertainment or casual jobs). Minors between 14 and 16 years of age may be employed in most gainful occupations which do not interfere with the minor’s safety, health, morals, education or general well-being and is not otherwise prohibited by statute.

In Missouri, “child” is defined for purposes of the chapter as an individual under 16 years of age, unless otherwise specified.

In Missouri, “employ” means to engage a child in gainful employment for wages or other remuneration. It does not include any child working under the direct control of...

To read the full chapter, Subscribe here or Sign In
Please call us at (312) 960-9400 if this is an error or if you have any questions.