27th Aug 2025

Amended Youth Employment Standards Act

On April 2 of this year, changes to the Youth Employment Standards Act (YESA) went into effect. This is a Michigan law that regulates the employment of minors. YESA establishes rules issuing required work permits, what types of jobs minors can have, the number of hours they are allowed to work, and the times in which they are allowed to work.

Previously, schools handled the responsibility of issuing work permits for minors, but under the amended law, starting October 2, 2026, the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) will assume this role. There will be a statewide registration system for minors to register for employment themselves or with a parent/guardian. Work permits are required for minors who attend school virtually, who are homeschooled, and even for those that do not attend school. Also, a new work permit is required when the minor changes jobs. When employment ends for the minor, the employer will be required to notify the state. It is important to know that if a minor employee has poor academic performance, then their work permit may be revoked.

Under the amended law, minors are allowed to work up to three hours per day (outside of school hours), but no more than 18 hours per week. When school is on a break (breaks during the school year and summer break), minors are allowed to work a maximum of 40 hours per week.

Minors will also be restricted in their working times. During the summer months (June 1 through Labor Day), they may begin work at 7am but must end by 9pm. During the other months of the year (immediately after Labor Day through May 31), minors’ work hours are restricted between 7am and 7pm. The amended Act prevents 16 and 17 year olds from being allowed a deviation between the hours of midnight and 5am.

There are certain types of jobs that YESA does not apply to. This includes:

  • Domestic work or chores in a private residence;
  • Actors or performers in motion pictures, television, or radio;
  • Farm work; and
  • Newspaper delivery.

Most occupants require children to be at least 14 years old to be hired. Also YESA prohibits minors from working in particular hazardous jobs, such as:

  • Operating specific machinery such as woodworking machines, or machines on construction or excavation sites;
  • Working with power driven equipment, tools, or saws;
  • Using meat slicers, cleavers, slaughtering or butchering meat; and
  • Working with explosives, chemicals, or radioactive substances.

It is important that employers familiarize themselves with these new policies and procedures to ensure they are aligning with the new requirements.

Written by Beier Howlett

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