By Andi Anderson
Young workers have always played an important role in agriculture. From helping on family farms to working seasonal jobs like harvesting or detasseling, many farms rely on youth labor. This raises a common question among employers: do minors need a work permit before starting farm work in Ohio?
In most industries, Ohio law requires minors to have a work permit, officially called an age and schooling certificate, before starting employment. This permit verifies the worker’s age, ensures they are attending school, confirms parental consent, and helps prevent child labor violations.
However, agricultural employment follows different rules. These rules are based on Chapter 4109 of the Ohio Revised Code, which regulates minor labor. While federal law does not require work permits, Ohio law generally does—except in agriculture.
The most important exemption applies to family farms. If a minor works on a farm owned or operated by their parent, grandparent, or legal guardian, and does not live in a labor camp, the entire chapter does not apply. This means the young worker does not need a work permit and is exempt from most related regulations.
Even for non-family farms, exemptions still apply. Agricultural employers hiring minors are not required to follow several sections of the law related to work permits. These include obtaining and enforcing work permits, maintaining records, and handling permit documentation requirements. As a result, minors working on farms usually do not need permits, regardless of whether the farm is family-owned or not.
Despite these exemptions, employers must still follow other legal responsibilities. These include providing workers’ compensation coverage, following wage and hour laws, limiting working hours for minors, and ensuring that young workers are not assigned hazardous tasks. Employers must also maintain workplace safety and proper employee verification.
In conclusion, while Ohio law makes it easier for farms to employ young workers by removing the work permit requirement, it does not remove the need for safe and lawful employment practices. Farmers must still ensure that all youth workers are protected and treated according to labor laws.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sisoje
Categories: Ohio, Rural Lifestyle