DOES YOUR BUSINESS HIRE TEENS FOR THE SUMMER? 

If your business will hire employees under the age of 18 this summer, here are the ten things you need to know:

  1. Teens must be at least 14 years old to work in Florida.
  2. No special documentation or permission is needed for your business to hire an employee under 18. Parents do not have to give permission for their child to work for your business, nor do you need to get a special work permit.
  3. You should keep a copy of their driver’s license or birth certificate as proof of their age.
  4. You have to post a Child Labor poster at your workplace if you have employees under 18. FUBA provides this poster free of charge to our members. Call us at 800-262-4483 or email us at FUBA@FUBA.org to request one.
  5. Minors under 18 working at a business owned by their parents have no restrictions on the number of hours they can work, but they cannot work in a job that is considered hazardous.
  6. Employees under 18 cannot work as delivery drivers or operate a motor vehicle as a regular part of their job. 17-year-olds may drive for work but only occasionally and not routinely.
  7. No one under 18 can prepare or serve alcoholic beverages on the job.
  8. 16- and 17-year-olds can work in residential construction if they have an OSHA 10 certification and are directly supervised by someone 21 or older who has at least 2 years of related experience and who has their OSHA 10 certification.
  9. Some construction jobs are considered too dangerous for employees under 18. No one under 18 can work on roofs, scaffolding, or ladders higher than 6 feet. They also are prohibited from doing demolitions, wrecking, or excavation. They cannot install or service TV/cable/satellite equipment and cannot service HVAC equipment attached to roofs. They also cannot work around toxic substances including pesticides or herbicides.
  10. Teens aged 14 to 17 can work additional hours during the summer. See below for the restrictions by age group:

During the summer, 14- and 15-year-olds:

  • Can work up to 8 hours a day and up to 40 hours a week.
  • Cannot work more than 40 hours a week.
  • Can only work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
  • Cannot work more than 6 days in a row.
  • Must be given a 30-minute break after working 4 consecutive hours. The break does not have to be paid.

During the summer, 16- and 17-year-olds:

  • Can work unlimited hours.
  • Can work unlimited days in a row.
  • Can work more than 40 hours in a week but must get overtime pay (time and a half) for all hours over 40 they work.
  • Must get a 30-minute break after working 4 consecutive hours only if their shift is 8 or more hours. The break can be unpaid.

FUBA members with questions about hiring an employee under 18 can contact the FUBA team of experts at 800-262-4483 or FUBA@FUBA.org.

REPORT NEW EMPLOYEES AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS TO THE FLORIDA NEW HIRE REGISTRY

To help the State of Florida enforce child support orders, Florida businesses should report newly hired employees to the Florida New Hire Reporting Center. Independent contractors (individuals only, not companies) paid at least $600 should also be reported.

Businesses can report online or file a paper form by mail or fax. The website to report new hires or to print forms is: servicesforemployers.floridarevenue.com.

The information to report is:

  • Name, address, and Social Security Number for the employee or independent contractor.
  • Date of hire for the employee or independent contractor.
  • Name, address, and FEIN of your business.

Report new employees within 20 days of their hire date. You only need to report employees once when they are hired.

Report individuals working as independent contractors within 20 days of your business paying them $600 or more. Independent contractors should be reported each year that your business pays them $600 or more.

Special note: You do not need to report companies that your business hires. Only individuals/sole proprietors that your business hires should be reported.

REMINDER FOR FLORIDA BUSINESSES WITH 25 OR MORE EMPLOYEES: YOU MUST USE E-VERIFY FOR ALL NEW EMPLOYEES

Since 2023, Florida law has required Florida businesses with 25 or more employees to use the federal E-verify system to verify that all new employees are eligible to work in the United States.

E-verify is a US government database that allows employers to search their employees’ names to see if they are legally allowed to work in the United States. Pre-enrollment is required at e-verify.gov.

The employment verification must be done within three business days after the employee begins working. Employers must certify on their Florida reemployment tax returns that they are in compliance with this requirement.

Employers that hire workers without verifying their employment eligibility through the E-verify system can be fined $1,000 a day and have their licenses suspended.

All Florida employers, regardless of size, must complete an I-9 form on all newly hired employees to verify their work eligibility.