b'How much do I have to pay: All employees of all ages areMowingtheyard:Michaelsdadwantshimtolearntobe entitled to at least minimum wage, however, employees underresponsible and what it is to start working and managing money.the age of 20 may be paid $4.25 per hour (plus appropriateHe gets the maintenance man from their church to hire Michael overtime, if any) for the first 90 calendar days or until they turnto mow the church lawn on a riding mower every week. The job 20, whichever comes first. doesnt really pay, but Michaels father secretly provides $20 a week for the church to pay his son. This is clearly a violation Do child workers require a work permit:Though a work permit isof the hazardous job requirement and probably a violation not required, Texas does have a certificate of age document thatof the minimum wage requirement depending on how many is available to children to prove their age to an employer. Childhours Michael spends each week. (Yes, this was me, too.My actors or performers under the age of 14 must obtain a permit. father and I have recently settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.)Arethereanyotherspecialrulesforchildactors:ForchildWhat Should I Do:actors under 14, there are many additional restrictions, which includeprohibitionsagainstmissingschool,considerationsGood:Postrequiredlegalnoticeforchildemploymentand, about the conditions of the wardrobe and set environment andas a precaution, get written consent from parents or an age the proximity of the childs guardian. This is a very particularizedcertificate for employees under the age of 16. Be sure no child area and should be carefully navigated with the assistance ofunder 18 is placed in a position that would be hazardous under someone who understands the laws in this area. the list above.What if I hire someone underage without knowing it: UnderBetter: The above, and in environments where hazardous work Texas law, you may be subject to civil penalties up to $10,000 peris done, educate supervisors to be sure not to allow children to violation, and criminal penalties for a Class A or B misdemeanor. act in hazardous capacities, even if it is not part of their regular Under Federal law, you may be subject to separate penalties ofjob.up to $11,000 for each violation. Best: All of the above, and evaluate all of your job descriptions Common Situations: for positions that involve hazardous work. Then set minimum But its not part of his job: Sals Supermarket hires Bobby, aage requirements at 18 in those job descriptions to avoid any risk. 15-year-old, to work as a sack boy and day stocker outside of school hours. The company is careful not to work Bobby more than the hours he is permitted under the law and to keep his hoursduringthepermittedtimeofday.Oneday,however, an 18-year-old senior stocker asks Bobby to put some empty cardboard boxes in the paper compactor. This innocent mistake happenedtoChuckE.Cheesewholetemployeesunder 18 operate its garbage compactor. This is probably the most common under age violation. In fact, as a 16-year-old working atthelocaltheater,Ioperatedanindustrial-sizedgarbage compactor on a nightly basis.4'