Legal Question in Employment Law in Illinois

I'm sixteen. Right now, I'm scheduled to work eighteen hours this week. I know that she cannot legally exceed twenty. However, I rarely get off on time. My boss keeps her employees after their scheduled time off, sometimes by hours. I, on average, stay about twenty minutes after my shift every day. Sometimes more. Some weeks, I'm pretty sure I work more than twenty hours. Is that even legal? Also, she doesn't read the availability schedules we've provided her with. I almost always miss out on my extra curricular at school, which I feel might endanger my college admission chances. I feel overworked, and am oftentimes extremely tired when I have to wake up for school the next morning. Is it okay for her to do this?


Asked on 3/09/11, 8:48 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Betty Tsamis Tsamis Law Firm PC

Illinois law limits the number of hours kids UNDER 16 can be required to work. From June 1 to Labor Day, they can only work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. In addition, they can�t be required to work more than 8 hours a day, or more than 6 days in a calendar week. During the school year, kids under 16 can�t work more than 3 hours a day, or after 7 p.m. Federal regulations limit the workweek to a maximum of 40 hours for kids under 16.

Since you are 16, there are no limitations on the number of hours she can require you to work. Important, however, is the fact that she makes you and others stay beyond your scheduled time. Are you paid for this "extra" time?

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Answered on 3/09/11, 9:30 am


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