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How many hours can teens work? How early and late can they work?

Employers must keep daily time records for minors (under 18). The records must show what time the minor began work, total hours worked, and what time the minor finished for the day. Following are the hours and times minors may work.16-17 Years Old (enrolled in school, including home-school)

16- and 17-Year-Olds (enrolled in school, including home-schooled)

Work hours (may work)

• After 7 a.m. on a school day
• After 5 a.m. on a nonschool day
• Until 10:15 p.m. on a day before a school day
• Until midnight if no school the next day
• Minors under 17 may NOT work during school hours

Maximum hours (may work)

• 6 hours on a school day;
• 8 hours on the last school day of the week - there are some exceptions for co-op (work-study) students, and students with an alternative education plan with a work component.
• 10 hours a day on weekends, holidays, vacations, teacher workshops
• 24 hours a week in any week with 3 or more school days
• 50 hours a week each week there are less than 3 scheduled school days or during 1st and last week of school year
• May NOT work more than 6 days in a row

Minors Under 16 Years Old (approved work permit required)

Work hours (may work)

• Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. during school year
• Between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. during summer vacation only
• May NOT work during school hours

maximum hours (may work)

• 3 hours on school days, including Fridays
• 8 hours on days with no school (weekends, holidays, vacations, storm days, etc.)
• 18 hours in any week with one or more school days
• 40 hours in a week with no school
• May NOT work more than 6 days in a row

NOTE: There are some exceptions to the hours listed; call the Maine Department of Labor at 1-877-SAFE-345 for details. TTY: 1-800-794-1110 (for deaf and hard of hearing)

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