FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Do employers need to give employees lunch and restroom
breaks?
A: No, under Ohiolaw the employer is not required to give lunch or restroom breaks.
However, if the employee is under 18 years of age, an employer is required to give
the employee a half hour break for every 5 hours worked.
Q: How many hours can a minor work per day / work per week?
A: RESTRICTIONS FOR HOURS WORKED:
1. Minors under 16 years of age are prohibited from working:
a. Before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. when school is in session
b. Before 7:00 a.m. or after 9.00 p.m. when school is NOT in
session or during a school holiday of five (5) or more days
c. More than 3 hours in a school day
d. More than 18 hours in a school week
e. More than 8 hours a day when school is NOT in session
f. More than 40 hours per week when school is NOT in session
2. Minors 16 and 17 years of age are prohibited from working, when school is in
session:
a. Before 7:00 a.m. Monday thru Friday
b. After 11:00 p.m. Sunday thru Thursday
Q: How old does a minor have to be to work?
A: A minor can start work at age 14.
Q: When does an employer have to pay overtime?
A: When the employer grosses over $150,000 a year, and an employee works more than
40 hours in a work week.
Q: When is a work permit required for a minor?
A: Every minor fourteen (14) through (17) years of age must have a work permit,
unless otherwise stated in Chapter 4109.