May 13, 2026 – With many teens nearing the end of the school year, and with seasonal jobs in Wisconsin picking up for the summer, now is an excellent time to review compliance with laws governing child labor.
Admittedly, many employers, parents, young employees, and their attorneys do not need a reminder of the importance of complying with child labor laws, following the February 2026 announcement of what the state described as “the largest determination of child labor and wage payment violations in modern Wisconsin history.”[1]
Yet, the time is ripe to brush up on wage and hour laws governing the employment of youth in the state.
Both state and federal wage and hour laws govern the employment of minors, making it important to be aware not only of requirements and limitations, but also to understand differences.
For employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act – nearly all workplaces in the United States – 29 U.S.C. section 218(a) clarifies that the higher standard (read: greater protection) applies when state and federal law differ for child wage and hour protections.[2]
Key relevant Wisconsin and federal statutes and regulations include:
Wis. Stat. sections 103.64-103.83, and other provisions of chapter 103
Wis. Admin. Code chapter DWD 270 “Child Labor”
Fair Labor Standards Act (codified at 29 U.S.C. sections 201-209)
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