Knowing Your Rights as a Young Worker in Wyoming
Starting a job is an exciting milestone, but it is important to know that laws are in place to keep you safe and ensure your work doesn’t get in the way of your education. The Labor Standards Division is your go-to teammate, offering free services to help you understand your rights, investigating if you aren’t being paid correctly, and handling complaints if you feel you’ve been treated unfairly.
Here is the breakdown of what you need to know:
- Money Matters: While the state minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, most Wyoming employers must pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. If you work more than 40 hours in a week (when allowed), you must be paid “time and one-half” for those extra hours.
- Balancing School and Work: If you are 14 or 15, school comes first. You generally cannot work more than three hours on a school day or more than 18 hours during a school week. Your shifts usually have to stay between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM, though these hours stay open later (until 9:00 PM) during the summer.
- Safety First: Your health is a priority. Federal and state laws ban you from doing dangerous tasks, like using power-driven meat slicers, forklifts, or heavy construction equipment. Employers also need to keep your birth date on file to ensure they are following these age-based safety rules.
- We’ve Got Your Back: You don’t need a work permit to start a job in Wyoming. However, if you ever run into a problem, like an employer refusing to pay you what you earned, you can file a claim for wages online or call the Labor Standards offices in Cheyenne or Casper for help.
Working is a great way to gain experience, and knowing these rules helps you stay safe and successful while you earn.