Minor Rules

Hour Limitations for Minors

Each state in which Publix operates has laws governing the number of hours associates who are under the age of 18 may work each week,
depending also if it is a school week or non-school week.
• All of the hour limitations apply to associates up to the age of 19 in Alabama, if they are enrolled in a public or private high school.
• Minor associates are responsible for arranging transportation and/or adjusting their availability so that they are not in violation of any
ordinances or curfews.
• Minors who violate the hours or occupational limitations are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
School week and non-school week
A school week is a week in which there is at least one scheduled school day during the week. This occurs during most weeks of the year, except
perhaps during the Christmas holiday, spring break, and summer vacation. A non-school week is a week in which there is no school scheduled on
any day of the week.
Maximum hours and days restrictions
The following table provides information on the maximum number of hours minors can work continuously without a break, per day and per week.
Age State School Weeks Non-School Weeks
Sunday — Friday Saturday Hours Continuous Hours Hours
Continuous Hours Continuous Hours Per Week Hours Per Per
Hours Per Hours Per Day Week
Day Day
14/15 Florida 2½ 2½ 3½ 7 13 3½ 7 35
Non-Florida 4½ 16 4½
Age State School Weeks Non-School Weeks
Sunday — Thursday Friday and Saturday Hours Continuous Hours Hours
Continuous Hours Continuous Hours Per Week Hours Per Per
Hours Per Hours Per Day Week
Day Day
16/17 Florida 3½ 7 3½ 10½ 28 3½ 10½ 35
Kentucky 4½ 5 4½ 7 4½
Non-Florida 5 10½ 5 10½ 35 5 10½ 35
Note: Associates must begin a 30-minute break (or longer) punched out on the timekeeping system before working longer than the
maximum number of continuous hours. In Tennessee, the break cannot be scheduled within the associate’s first hour of work.
The maximum number of days minors can work in a row without a day off is five consecutive days in a workweek (Saturday through Friday) or six
consecutive days in back-to-back workweeks (at any time).
Start and end times
The following table provides the earliest start and latest end time limitations that apply to minors. The start times for Monday through Friday
during school weeks are the times listed or when the minor’s school lets out (whichever time is later).
School Week Start and End Times for 14/15 Year-Olds (All States)
Start Time Start Time End Time
Saturday and Sunday Monday — Friday Any Day
7:30 a.m. 3 p.m. 6:30 p.m.

School Week Start and End Times for 16-17 Year-Olds (by State)
State Saturday Sunday Monday — Thursday Friday
Start End Start End Start End Start End
Florida 3 a.m. 11:30 p.m. 7 a.m. 10:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m. 2 a.m.
Alabama 2 a.m. 5:30 a.m. 9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
Georgia 2 a.m. 5 a.m. 12 a.m. 12 a.m.
North Carolina 2 a.m. 5:30 a.m. 10:30 p.m. 10:30 p.m.
South Carolina 2 a.m. 5 a.m. 12 a.m. 12 a.m.
Tennessee 2 a.m. 6:30 a.m. 9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m.
Virginia 2 a.m. 5 a.m. 12 a.m. 12 a.m.
Kentucky 7 a.m. 12 a.m. 7 a.m. 10 p.m. 10 p.m. 12 a.m.
Non-School Week Start and End Times (All States)
Age Start Time End Time
14/15 7:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m. (can work until 8:30 p.m. from June 1 – Labor Day only, as long as
school is not scheduled on any day of the week)
16/17 3 a.m. 2 a.m.
When school is not scheduled on the school’s calendar during a school week (for example, holidays and teacher work days), follow these rules:
• If the day is followed by a school day, follow the start and end times and maximum hours per day limits for Sunday for school weeks.
• If the day is not followed by a school day, follow the start and end times and maximum hours per day limits for non-school weeks.
• Always follow the hours per week rules for school weeks.

01/18/2024
 Minor Rules
Hazardous Occupational Limitations for Minors
Federal and state laws govern the occupations and job tasks that associates who are under the age of 18 are permitted to perform, as well as
the substances, tools, and/or machinery they are allowed to use. Publix’s policy complies with all federal and state laws.

Equipment, tool, substance, and task restrictions

The following table provides restrictions on working with equipment, tools and substances, or performing tasks. Only the items addressed
below are permitted.
Equipment, Tool, Substance, or Task Minimum Age
• assist customers or load/unload groceries for customers and perform carryout service 14
• retrieve shopping carts (without cart retrieval equipment)
• fill and level products (see restrictions for entering freezers and coolers below)
• hang tags or signs, verify prices, or use a hand-held terminal (HHT)
• use Publix-issued safety cutters
• use office machines (register, copier, calculator, stapler, etc.)
• ride in a vehicle if it is in safe working condition (must sit in an individual seat inside
the vehicle, wear a seat belt, and not assist in transporting or delivering goods or
people or collecting shopping carts)
• perform cleaning tasks (vacuum, sweep, mop, clean bathrooms, etc.) using Publix
authorized cleaners unless blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM),
vomit, feces, or toxic substances (full-strength ammonia, bleach, or chlorine,
corrosives, pesticides or herbicides) are present
sell alcoholic beverages • 18 (Tennessee) or
• 14 (other states)
sell fireworks • 18 (Georgia)
• 16 (Alabama)
• 14 (other states)
• use the Oliver 777 Bread Slicer, Pan Washing Machine or Plas-ties Tie-matic Twist Tie • 18 (North Carolina
Machine and Virginia)
• weigh/label products (in bakery, grocery, and produce only) • 16 (other states)
• cook food products or use pineapple corers, sharp knives, food slicers, processers, 18
choppers, grinders, or mixers
• use portable tools or maintain or repair items (equipment, etc.)
• handle dry ice or propane or work around toxic, dangerous or radioactive substances
(propane, gases exceeding 40 p.s.i., etc.)
• clean up blood or OPIM, vomit, feces, or toxic substances (full-strength ammonia,
bleach, or chlorine, corrosives, pesticides, or herbicides)
• drive powered shopping carts or vehicles (including assisting in transporting or delivering
goods or people or collecting shopping carts)
• use cart retrieval equipment
• use scrubbers, buffers, or steamers
• use a manual pallet jack (cannot operate or ride on power-driven pallet jacks) 16
• use a dock leveler to enter trailers and assist in the unloading process (cannot operate
or ride on power-driven lifts or freight elevators)
operate or ride on power-driven lifts, power-driven pallet jacks, or freight elevators 18
use balers or compactors or place anything in them, even when not in use 18
fill balloons provided the tank or cylinder is fixed and secure and the minor has received prior 16
training
use ladders or work from any elevated surface less than six feet high 16
use ladders or work from any elevated surface over six feet high 18
enter freezers or coolers momentarily to put back or retrieve items (excludes meat 14
freezers or meat coolers)
enter meat freezers or meat coolers 18