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San Diego, CA — Select teens may be allowed to work longer hours, specifically at night, if Wisconsin lawmakers get their way.
A proposed bill would allow teens, 14 and 15, to work up until 9:30 p.m. on school nights and 11 p.m. on the weekends and during summer, extending their possible workday by two hours, according to The Hill.
Currently, from June 1 to Labor Day teens are allowed to work between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. After Labor Day the work hours can be between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. They can also work six days per week, up to three hours on school days and eight hours on non-school days.
Scott Borkin, business manager of frozen custard and burger Kopp’s restaurant, spoke to WISN 12 News on what this could mean for the business.
“It would help us out immensely because you have the younger kids that want to work, the limitations would be lifted,” said Borkin.
If the bill passes, only smaller businesses that earn less than $500,000 in annual sales and that are not covered by federal Fair Labor Standards, would be impacted.
Republican organizations have shown support for the bill, while Democrats oppose it.
"It's a nice workaround," said Democratic state Sen. Chris Larson, adding, "I think in reality if those employers are looking for workers, what frankly the market should dictate is they should be raising wages, offering additional benefits."