Hiring Minors

Below is a list of considerations to make and guidelines to follow before hiring a minor at the University of Northern Iowa.

• "Hire" in these guidelines applies to work to be done with OR without compensation. These guidelines apply to any job-like activities, including, but not limited to, volunteer opportunities, internships, shadowing, or employment.
• "Minor" in these guidelines means a person under the age of 18 years.
• These guidelines apply to situations that fall outside UNI Policies 13.21 (Youth Activities, Pre-College Programs and Campus) and 13.22 (Protection of Children in the Workplace).
• The hiring of a minor must be approved by the appropriate department or division head. The applicable department or division shall maintain all completed and signed releases, emergency contact forms, and acknowledgements of rules.
• Hiring a minor under the age of 16 years is highly discouraged. Iowa child labor laws impose certain limitations on the type or manner of work to be performed by persons under 16 years of age and must obtain a child labor work permit. If you wish to hire an individual under the age of 16 years, please contact Lisa Frush in Human Resource Services.
• Iowa law Iowa Code § 92.8 prohibits persons under 18 years of age from performing certain occupations including:
  • Occupations of motor vehicle driver and helper
  • Occupations involved in the operation of power-driven woodworking machines
  • Occupations involving exposure to radioactive substances and to ionizing radiations
  • Occupations involved in the operation of elevators and other power-driven hoisting apparatus
  • Occupations involved in the operation of certain power-driven bakery machines
  • Occupations involved in the operation of circular saws, band saws and guillotine shears
  • Occupations involving exposure to lead fumes or its compounds, or to dangerous or poisonous dyes or chemicals
• Personal protective equipment must be provided to the minor in compliance with applicable UNI policies and procedures for the area in which the minor is working.
• The minor’s manager must review general UNI guidelines and policies (as appropriate) with the minor, including but not limited to the following:
  • Child Abuse
  • Tobacco-Free Campus
  • Alcohol and Drugs
  • Firearms and Other Weapons
  • Candles and Open Flames
  • Fire alarms
  • Violence Free Campus
  • Discrimination and Harassment
  • Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Statement
  • Rules of Personal Conduct
  • Retaliation and Misconduct Reporting
  • Protection of Children in the Workplace
  • Hazard Communication Program
• The minor’s parent or legal guardian must provide the following (for minors who will not be employed with compensation including, but not limited to, volunteer activities, internships, or job shadowing experiences):
  • Emergency contact information
  • Signed Release and Waiver
  • Signed acknowledgement of receipt of fact sheet regarding chemicals and equipment with which the minor will be working, if applicable
  • Signed copy of Rules for Minors in Laboratory Settings

• UNI Policy 13.21 (Youth Activities, Pre-Collegiate Programs and Camps)
• UNI Procedures for Youth Activities, Pre- College Programs and Camps
• UNI Policy 13.22 (Protection of Children in the Workplace)
• Iowa Division of Labor Services
• Hiring Iowa Teens
• Iowa Code, chapter 92
• Iowa Administrative Code 875, chapter 32

Forms

• Release and Waiver
• Rules for Minors in Laboratory Settings

Resources

• Merit and P&S Temporary Employment
• Summer Camp Employment

Lisa Frush
lisa.frush@uni.edu