Wage Agreement
No employer shall reduce the wage of any minor without giving him written notice of at least 24 hours prior to the reduction. Further, no employer shall retain or withhold wages or any part thereof because of presumed negligence, failure to comply with rules, breakage of machinery, or alleged incompetence to produce any standard of merit.

Minimum Age
Minors must be at least 14 years of age to obtain a work permit. Work permits can be deemed by the school superintendents, parents or guardians. The employer shall keep the work permit on file and open for inspection at the place of employment. A new work permit must be issued each item the minor changes employment. Within 3 days of termination of employment the work permit shall be returned to the issuing authority. Also upon termination, payment for any and all wages must be received by the minor by the next regularly scheduled pay period.

During summer months when school is not in session, 16 and 17 year old minors are not required to obtain work permits, provided that the employer maintains proof of age and a signed statement from their parent or guardian consent to their proposed employment.

Hours
When school is IN session minors 14 & 15 cannot be employed before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m.; work more than 3 hours on any School Day; work more than 18 hours in any School Week; work during school hours, unless employment is incidental to bona fide vocational training program.

When school is NOT in session minors 14 & 15 cannot be employed before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.; work more than 8 hours per day; work more than 40 hours per week.

When school is IN session minors 16 & 17 cannot be employed before 7:00 a.m. or 6:00 a.m. if not employed after 8:00 p.m. the previous night; or after 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. There is no limitation in hours per day or week.

When school is NOT in session minors 16 & 17 have no limitation as to the starting and ending time and no limitation in hours per day or week.

Safety and Health
Every year around 70 teens die from work and many more are injured. Injuries occur from: Unsafe equipment, stressful conditions, inadequate safety training, inadequate supervision, dangerous work that is illegal or inappropriate for youth, and trying to hurry.

Deaths occur from: Homicide, driving or traveling, as passengers in motor vehicles, machine-related accidents, electrocution, and falls.

Ohio Division of Labor and Worker Safety has compiled a list of Prohibited Occupations for Minors.