Where can you work at age 16?

Fast food chains, restaurants and retail stores are the most common places for a 16-year-old to work. While some businesses hire employees that are 16 years old, the type of job the employee is allowed to do may vary.

For example, in a restaurant, a 16-year-old employee may be able to bus tables, but he may not be allowed to serve food or beverages to the customers. In retail businesses, a 16-year-old employee may be able to stock the shelves, but he may not be allowed to work at a register. Sixteen-year-olds can work more than 40 hours per week, but federal law prohibits them from certain hazardous jobs, such as driving forklifts.