Any individual under 18 years of age is considered a minor. This includes minors who are enrolled in college.
Laws and Regulations that Apply to Employment of Minor
As a starting point, minors are covered by the same employment laws and policies that apply to adults. Minors also are protected by the additional requirements of child labor laws and child protection laws.
The federal government website has information about federal child labor laws and related resources.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website offers details FAQs about child labor laws.
Refer to the Office of Human Resources- Student Employment for additional detailed information.
High School Students and Research Experience
High school students who perform services in a laboratory must be paid employees under long-standing policy (University Policy and Procedure 09-09-02). The sections of this policy describing requirements/processes for employing minors have been suspended because they do not reflect the latest child labor law requirements that have been summarized in these guidelines. However, the basic requirement in Policy 09-09-02 that high school students who perform services in laboratories must be paid employees of the University is still consistent with the law, and therefore is still in effect. Employment is not required for minors who are not performing services, but rather are participating in bona fide educational programs, such as grant funded summer academies or academic camps, which have been registered with the Office of Human Resources and have been designated consistent with the Department of Labor's test in its fact sheet.
Hiring a Minor at Pitt
Before any minor may be offered employment, the hiring unit must review these guidelines and the related links. Talent Center, the University's automated recruiting system for hiring student employs must be used for all hiring, including the hiring of minors. The hiring proposal process in Talent Center will require documentation including the unit, building and area where the minor would work, the nature of any hazards in the workplace, the specific duties that the minor would perform, the hourly rate of pay, the proposed weekly and daily work schedule of the minor, the individuals who would have direct contact with the minor and the process for selecting the minor.
Contact the Office of Human Resources by submitting an online inquiry at www.hr.pitt.edu/contact-ohr.