4/1/20 - EMERGENCY RULE PERTAINING TO WORK PERMITS - Due to the current health emergency, the Department of Workforce Development has implemented the following emergency rule regarding work permits:

• Waives the requirement that new employees under age 16 obtain a work permit prior to starting employment.
• Instead, employers can send information to our work permit email box workpermits@dwd.wisconsin.gov. This information includes
  • An attestation that they have reviewed the minor's proof of age and social security documents (but employers should not send us copies of these documents);
  • The offer letter from the employer, and;
  • The permission letter or countersignature from the parent or guardian.
• Equal Rights Division will decline to enforce the permit requirement during the state of emergency.
• Employers will have 30 days after the state of emergency to acquire permits for all workers and to pay all applicable fees.
• The order does not change the current legal requirements for hours per day or time of day, nor does it make any change to prohibited or hazardous employment rules. ERD will continue to enforce these rules during the emergency.

Emergency Order as of May 19, 2020:

• The operations of permit offices and employers using minors under age 16 may continue to operate in the same manner as they did under the previous emergency order.
• The new end date for this process is September 1, 2020.
• Employers shall file a permit application on behalf of each minor employee and pay the associated fee no later than October 1, 2020.
• The application of this emergency rule is retroactive to May 11, 2020. The Department will decline to take any enforcement action against employers of minors who follow the process set forth in the emergency rule.  

Effective June 23, 2017:  16 and 17 year old minors do NOT have to obtain a work permit.  Minors younger than 16 will need to obtain a work permit prior to beginning work.

Work permits are issued through the Activities Office at the high school between the hours of 8:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (school year) and 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. (summer) with 24-48 hours required for completion of the permit.  Minor must be present to personally sign the work permit in the presence of the work permit officer.  The following items are required when applying for a permit (originals only - copies not accepted).

• Letter of employment signed by employer indicating job duties
• Written permission from parent/guardian for minor to work
• Proof of age (birth certificate, baptismal certificate or driver's license); School ID is NOT acceptable
• Minor's social security card MUST BE SEEN by work permit officer
• $10.00 permit fee (reimbursed by employer)

Worksheet