What is the minimum age for employment?

The minimum age for most non-hazardous employment is typically set at 14 or 15 years old in many jurisdictions, according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in the United States. At this age, minors are allowed to work, but there are restrictions on the type of work they can do and the number of hours they can work, especially during school sessions.

Choosing 15 years old as the minimum age reflects the general standard in various labor laws, which intend to balance the need for youth employment with the protection of young workers from exploitation and ensuring that their work does not interfere with their education. Other ages mentioned in the options, particularly 12, do not align with these regulations which stipulate a minimal age for work to help ensure both the welfare of young workers and their academic pursuits. Ages like 18 and 21 represent thresholds for adult employment and activities, but these do not pertain to the minimum age for entry into the workforce in a general sense.