Child Actor Labor Laws: The Definitive Guide

Child actors work under a different set of labor laws than adult performers. They have strict limits on their hours, and they need to be accompanied by an adult guardian at all times.

These laws are put in place to protect child actors from being overworked and exploited.

California’s child actor labor laws are pretty standard across the nation. Most states have similar provisions in place to protect children who work as performers.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is a federal law that requires employers to follow guidelines when it comes to employees who are under the age of 18.

This law was established in 1938 and has been revised over time to accommodate the changing workforce.

Today, the FLSA rules apply to people who are 16 or 17 years old and have not graduated from high school. If they are working, they must be paid at least $4.25 per hour.

People aged 14 and 15 are only allowed to work in jobs that do not jeopardize their health or well-being.
 

 
The law prohibits employers from hiring minors for hazardous work or jobs where there is a risk of physical damage, such as mining and construction work.

The working conditions and environment must be safe and physically healthy for minors.

The law requires employers to provide food and drink as well as, when necessary, medical treatment free of charge to minors who are employed in non-hazardous occupations.

What Is A Child Actor

If you have stepped into the entertainment industry and are trying to find out what is a child actor, then you have come to the right place. Being a child actor is not as easy as some people might think. 

It requires a lot of hard work and dedication.

Many child actors have been working in the industry for years before they ever become a star. Trying to make it as a child actor can be very difficult. 

You may face many challenges trying to make your way into acting. 

One of the first things that you will want to do is sign up with an acting agency. You want to make sure that they are reputable, though, because there are many agencies out there that will not help you or will take advantage of you.

   

If you are unsure about an agency, ask other actors that are already working in the field or search online for reviews from previous clients. To get an agent, look in the phone book or ask around for someone who has worked with them in the past.

Once you have found a few agencies that you like, go ahead and call them up and set up an appointment for an interview.

Labor Laws For Child Actors

If you are an actor under the age of 18, be aware that you are still protected by labor laws. These laws were created to ensure that employers and employees follow a set of rules when it comes to wages, hours, working conditions, and more.

If you find yourself in a situation where these rights are not being met, there are measures in place for you to take legal action. 

If you are thinking about being a child actor, some laws will protect you.

These laws are important to understand because they can help to ensure that your acting career will be a positive experience. 

Here are some of the most common labor laws for child actors:

• The child actor’s working hours must not exceed eight hours each day. 
• There is no maximum limit on the number of hours a minor may work in one week, but his or her working time cannot exceed 40 hours every week.
• The number of weeks that a minor can work in a year is limited to six weeks.
• A minor can be required to work only if he or she has been granted permission by the Labor Department and only if he or she has obtained an employment certificate from the Bureau of Working Conditions.

• The working conditions and environment must be safe and physically healthy for minors.

• The law requires employers to provide food and drink as well as, when necessary, medical treatment free of charge to minors who are employed in non-hazardous occupations.

What Are Child Labor Laws?

In addition to restricting hours of work for minors and prohibiting dangerous jobs, the FLSA also ensures that minors are not forced to work excessive hours or during school hours.

This means that your child cannot work more than eight hours per day or more than 40 hours per week.

The FLSA protects all workers under the age of 18 from exploitation by employers and ensures that all employees receive a fair wage for their efforts.

By setting a minimum wage for workers under 18 years of age, the FLSA hopes to help equalize pay between young adults and adults over the age of 18.

Child Labor Laws In the USA

In the United States of America, child labor refers to the employment of children by businesses and corporations at a very young age.

These children are usually below the legal working age limit and can be as young as four years old. In most states, they cannot work full-time; however, they can work part-time or during school hours with a permit.

To date, there is no federal law that legally restricts minors from working or limits the number of hours that they should work. This means that state laws apply to minors regardless of where they live or their place of employment.

However, there is a federal law that protects children from being employed in harmful jobs such as mining, manufacturing, and performing agricultural work. Such restrictions are enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD).

These laws were put into place to protect minors from hazards such as workplace injuries, long working hours, and health risks associated with some types of work. For instance, minors employed in the mining industry are at risk of inhaling toxic gases like methane and carbon monoxide while working in confined spaces underground.

They can also suffer injuries due to falling rocks and slipping on wet surfaces.

Child Labor Laws In Europe

The child labor laws in Europe are very strict. In some countries, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to work. It’s also illegal for anyone under 18 to work certain jobs. After age 16, European children can choose which country’s laws they want to follow.

The list below details the regulations on child labor laws in Europe: 

France: Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to work. Children ages 13-15 may only work part-time during school holidays and breaks. They also have to attend school at least twice a week.

Children 15-17 may not work more than eight hours per day or more than 35 hours per week when school is in session. When school is not in session, they may work up to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week.

Italy:

Minors, ages 12-16, are not allowed to work unless they have a special permit from the Italian Labor Department or a letter from their school stating that it is authorized by their parents or guardians.

Children under 16 who don’t attend school may only do light jobs such as delivering newspapers or making certain kinds of craft products like carpets or ceramics.

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938

The FLSA also applies to acting jobs and states that children over 16 can work any length of time with certain conditions. For example, if the hours do not interfere with school attendance and the job does not require the child to handle hazardous materials.

There are also guidelines about how many hours 14-15 year olds can work during the week and on weekends without interfering with schoolwork.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckz4qccSVp

Employment Of Child Actors Age 14-15

The employment of child actors, especially minors under the age of 18, is a hotly debated topic in Hollywood. Child labor laws are very strict when it comes to children working on television or in the film industry.

There are also many safety concerns when dealing with children and hazardous situations, such as working with explosions or stunts. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on sex, race, color, national origin or religion, also protects against discrimination based on age.

The labor laws that govern child actors are frequently misunderstood by parents and employers alike. Zefra Productions is here to help you understand your rights and responsibilities as an employer when it comes to hiring child actors in California.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7aQdXbWiis

Federal Labor Laws for Child Actors

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governs most employees who work in the United States. The FLSA considers anyone under the age of 18 a minor so for the most part, federal labor laws for child actors are not different from those for adults.

In other words, federal labor laws for child actors apply to anyone under 18 years old regardless of whether they work in film or television.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7aQdXbWiis

Employment Of Child Actors Age 16-17

In California, the Employment of Child Actors is regulated by the State’s Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement. This division handles all employment-related issues including health and safety standards, wage and hour laws, and workers’ compensation. 

The regulations are in place in order to protect minors who are working as actors.

The California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement defines a minor as anyone that is under 18 years old. For a minor to be employed as an actor they must get permission from their parent or guardian before they can work.

Minors under the age of 16 cannot be employed unless it is for print advertising or photography. Minors must also have a certificate issued by the school stating that they are enrolled in school. 

Also minors must have a blood test performed which states that they are free from any communicable diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B.

Minors who are 16 years old or over can work between 7am and 7pm. They can work from 7pm to 6am if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian for every hour that they work between 7pm and 6am. 

United States Federal Child Labor Laws For Entertainment & Performing Arts

The FLSA does not limit jobs in the entertainment industry or performing arts. 

It has no jurisdiction over non-employees or individuals employed by a State or local government. Each State has its own child labor laws that may apply to both public and private employment.

The following Federal child labor requirements are applicable to both public and private employment.