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SafeTeen Home > Employers > Hours

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 & 17 year olds can work:

  • Up to 4 hours on a school day; 8 hours on the last school day of the week
  • Up to 20 hours in any week with 3 or more school days
    • Except: 8 hours each day with unscheduled school closure for a total of 28 hours that week (e.g., storm day, broken furnace, etc.)
  • Up to 50 hours each week with less than 3 scheduled school days, or during the first or last week of the school year
  • Up to 10 hours a day on weekends, holidays, vacations, teacher workshop days
  • No more than 6 days in a row

How early? How late?

  • Not before 7 a.m. on a school day
  • Not before 5 a.m. on a non-school day
  • Not after10 p.m. the night before a school day
  • Until midnight if there is no school the next day

Minors under 17 cannot work during school hours

Under 16 (work permit required!)

Minors under 16 can work:

  • Up to 3 hours a day on school days, including Fridays
  • Up to 18 hours in any week with one or more school days
  • Up to 8 hours on days without school (during weekends, holidays, vacations, storm days, etc.)
  • Up to 40 hours in a week with no school days
  • Never more than 6 days in a row

How early? How late?

  • Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
  • Between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. during summer vacations only
  • Not during school hours

NOTE: There are some exceptions to the hours listed; call the Maine Department of Labor at 1-877-SAFE-345 for details. TTY: Maine relay 711 (for deaf and hard of hearing)

Respect yourself. Protect yourself.

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