Avoid expensive penalties. Set up your YES account today.
Indiana’s youth-employment law is now fully in effect. Effective July 1, 2021 Indiana has eliminated work permits completely, and now requires all employers with five or more minor employees (under age 18) to begin using the Indiana Department of Labor’s Youth Employment System (YES) to track and report minor-employee information.
YES has been available since June 1, 2021 and thousands of employers have already set up their accounts and collectively registered tens of thousands of minor employees. Employers who fail to comply with the new law that goes could face penalties of up to $400 per infraction, per minor employee.
YES is simple and easy to use. Employers can access the app via their smart device, such as your smartphone or tablet, as well as their desktop or laptop. Once they’ve set up their employer profile, they can enter your minor data – name, age and hire date – within minutes.
The system will not impact the state’s work-hour requirement for minors, and all employers must still comply with the Teens Work Hour restrictions and Prohibited and Hazardous Occupation restrictions for minors.
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SYSTEM FAQs
Does Indiana require work permits?
No, Indiana Code 22-2-18.1-26 sets requirements that no longer require employers to secure a work permit from a minor employee through their school.
However, any Indiana employer who employs five or more minor employees must register themselves as a youth employer, and provide information about their minor employees.
This new requirement went into effect July 1, 2021.
What is YES?
YES stands for the Youth Employment System, provided by the Indiana Department of Labor.
YES is a new minor-employee registration system mandated by Indiana Code 22-2-18.1-26.
Who can use YES?
All Indiana employers who employ five or more minor employees MUST register in YES. This requirement became effective July 1, 2021.
What type of information must employers register in YES?
Employers will be required to provide corporate and individual location information, and minor employee information once the minor is employed.
Upon termination of the minor, that employer must remove the minor from YES.
What if our organization employs less than five minors?
Employers who employ four or fewer minor employees are not required to use the new system but have the option to register.
When must minors be registered?
Minors must be registered within 3 business days of employment and terminated within 3 businesses days of termination.
Is there a penalty for not using YES?
Effective July 1, 2021, the Indiana Department of Labor’s Youth Employment Division will assess penalties for employer noncompliance, per Indiana Code 22-2-18.1-26.
What is the penalty for noncompliance?
Penalties can be assessed for failure to use YES to register minors, failure to remove a minor from the system once employment ends or failure
to correct the number of minors employed in YES. Penalties range from $100 to $400, depending on the noncompliance infraction.
Does this new requirement eliminate the work-hour requirements?
No. The system and registration requirement will not impact the state’s work-hour requirement for minors, and all employers must still comply with the Teens Work Hour restrictions.
Do minor employees need any documentation from their school, to share with their employer?
No. Schools will no longer be responsible for tracking and registering minor employees in Indiana.
That responsibility will become the legal obligation of the employer.
Where can I get training to use YES?
For more information and training, please contact: YouthEmployment@dol.IN.gov.
Who can my organization speak to about a presentation or information session about YES and the new erequirement?
We welcome the opportunity to speak with organizations, associations, chambers of commerce, etc. about YES. For a presentation or information session,
please contact: Youthemployment@dol.in.gov.