Can I work at small business stores/restaurants at 14?

in the US.............YES you can be gainfully employed at 14 in every state, there are a lot of restrictions on when and how much you can work but it is legal to work in most jobs that are not declared as hazardous.........

Legally in the US under FLSA a minor 14 or older may work in an:

Office,

Grocery store,

Retail store,

Restaurant,

Movie Theater,

Baseball Park,

Amusement park, or

Gasoline service station

BUT...due to the high the unemployment rate at this time it is very difficult for minors to get a job.........the jobs that use to be held by teens and retirees are now being taken by adults trying to support their families.........

Fast-food and grocery stores are willing and able to train new employees but........................

Minors tend to have many issues that affect their ability to work such as tardiness, absenteeism, and numerous schedule requests, poor work-ethic etcetera.

I am NOT implying you will have those issues but the fact that many your age do makes it more difficult for you to get an opportunity to prove your worth.

Most businesses are individually owned and operated so it is the owner’s policy and past experience with minors that will determine if they will hire you. Apply everywhere you can, the worse that can happen is they don't hire you.

Businesses such as Publix, Kroger's, Food Lion, Sonic, Chic-Fill-A, McDonald's, Winn-Dixie, Krystal's, Dairy Queen, and Burger King along with smaller local businesses that are in the same genre tend to hire those your age.

Remember just because they legally can hire you does NOT mean they have to hire you or they will hire you. A lot depends on the employment outlook in your area, and the past luck (good or bad) the employer has had employing minors.

click on the following link for information about child labor laws such as the number of hours allowed, when you can work, what jobs you can do, and which states require work permits........

http://www.youthrules.dol.gov/

US Department of Labor

YouthRules

at any age you can

work at a business owned or operated by your parents

and in most states

work as an actress in radio, TV, theater or movies

at as young as 12 in most states you can

work on a PRIVATE farm hand-picking or selling fruits and/or vegetables

deliver newspapers or periodicals

umpire/referee in a MUNICIPAL league

caddy at a PUBLIC course

you can also do "casual labor" (work for an individual in their home) such as

yard-work,

pet-sitting,

baby-sitting,

tutoring,

running errands,

house-cleaning, etcetera...