Working at Chick-fil-A as a 14-Year-Old: The Requirements and Limits

Federal and State Regulations

If you are interested in working at Chick-fil-A and you are 14 years old, there are several key requirements and limitations you need to understand. First and foremost, you will need to provide proof of age, typically in the form of a Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Additionally, you must prove that you are legally authorized to work in the United States.

However, obtaining a job at Chick-fil-A might be challenging for 14-year-olds due to strict federal child labor laws. These laws place significant restrictions on the hours and types of work you can do, making it a difficult pursuit for young teens.

School Year Restrictions

When school is in session, you are limited in the number of hours you can legally work. During the school week, you are allowed to work no more than 3 hours per day from Monday to Friday. Furthermore, you can only work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends, with a maximum of 8 hours per day. The total allowed weekly hours during the school year is 18 hours.

Summer Hires

During the summer break, the restrictions ease up somewhat. You can work until 9 p.m. on weekdays and up to 40 hours per week. However, it's important to note that most employers prefer employees with more availability. The 40-hour limit might not be a concern for them, but the 7 p.m. cutoff and 3 hours per school day maximum are significantly limiting.

Specific Job Restrictions

Moreover, there are specific tasks that you are not allowed to perform at Chick-fil-A due to safety and legal reasons. Based on my experience with other fast-food establishments, here are some of the job duties you wouldn't be able to perform:

Operating an electric cheese grater Operating an electric meat or cheese slicer Operating an electric lettuce shredder Working at a deep-fat fryer, particularly when baskets must be manually lowered and raised. Systems that automatically lower and raise baskets are permitted. Any work involving a pressure cooker Stocking a freezer (momentary entry is permitted, but storing items is not) Cleaning kitchen equipment if the temperature of the items or liquids exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit

Work Permit Requirements in Texas

In Texas, the minimum age to get a work permit is 15 years old, although a 14-year-old might still have some options. The best route would be to look for a family-owned restaurant, where the individual owners might be willing to take on a younger worker.

For 14-year-olds, the process of obtaining a work permit involves filling out an application. In Texas, you can get the necessary application from the Texas Workforce Commission. Here is the link to download the form:

Texas Workforce Commission Certificate of Age

Once you have completed the application, you should present it to the HR department of the restaurant or submit it to the appropriate authority in your area.

Understanding these regulations and restrictions is crucial for 14-year-olds who want to work at Chick-fil-A. While the process may be challenging, it's important to adhere to the laws and guidelines to ensure a safe and compliant work environment.