The too-late shift
You're 15, working at a smoothie shop. The new schedule has you closing at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You like the job and don't want to seem difficult, but you also know your grades are slipping and federal law cuts 15-year-olds off at 7 p.m. on school nights.
What could you do?
Pick a response to see how it usually plays out.
The general principles
- Federal law limits 14- and 15-year-olds to 3 hours on school days with evening cutoffs; many states are stricter and cover 16- and 17-year-olds too.
- Following youth-hour rules is the employer's legal responsibility, not the teen's.
- Raising a legal concern at work is protected; retaliation for it is illegal.
Safer next steps
- Check your exact state rules on YouthRules (dol.gov/agencies/whd/youthrules).
- Raise it in writing, kindly, citing the specific rule.
- Keep copies of schedules and messages.
- If nothing changes, involve a parent and contact your state labor office or the DOL Wage and Hour Division.
Hour limits, evening cutoffs, and work-permit requirements vary significantly by state. The stricter rule is the one that applies to you.
Tell a parent or trusted adult about scheduling problems early. If a manager pressures you after you raise the rule, an adult plus the state labor office is the right escalation.
Related lessons
Support you can reach
- YouthRules (U.S. Department of Labor) (opens in a new tab)
Official rules on how many hours teens can work, which jobs are allowed, and state-by-state differences.
- DOL Wage and Hour Division (opens in a new tab)
Takes free, confidential complaints about unpaid wages, child labor violations, and overtime.
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