Are you a teenager looking to start your first job or earn some extra cash? You may be wondering if the popular grocery chain Aldi hires workers under 18. Known for its competitive wages, good benefits, and opportunities for advancement, Aldi can be an appealing place to work. But what is Aldi‘s policy when it comes to hiring teenagers?
In this post, we‘ll take an in-depth look at Aldi‘s age requirements and hiring policies to answer all your questions about working at Aldi as a teenager. We‘ll also explore the reasoning behind their policies, how Aldi compares to other retail employers, and what other job options are out there for teens. Let‘s dive in!
What is Aldi‘s Minimum Hiring Age in the U.S.?
According to Aldi‘s official hiring policy, all employees must be at least 18 years old to work at any of their stores across the United States. The company has decided to adopt this age requirement as a blanket policy for consistency and simplicity, even though labor laws regarding workers under 18 vary by state.
"ALDI has made the decision that employees must be 18 years of age to work at ALDI," states the company‘s website. "We are aware that state laws may vary, with respect to requirements for workers under 18 years of age, but ALDI has decided to adopt a simple rule that requires employees to be 18 years of age or older."
So if you‘re a teenager who is 14, 15, 16 or 17, you unfortunately are not eligible to work at Aldi at this time. Only those 18 and over can apply for positions. This is a firm policy with no exceptions.
How Does Aldi Compare to Other Retailers?
Aldi‘s decision to only hire employees 18 and older is not unusual in the retail world. Many other national chains also set their minimum hiring age at 18 for various reasons.
For example, Costco, Publix, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe‘s (which is owned by Aldi) all require workers to be at least 18. Target and Walmart hire 16 year olds, but only for certain positions.
However, some retailers do hire workers as young as 14 or 15 in certain states and for limited roles. These include grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, Winn-Dixie, and H-E-B, as well as fast food chains like McDonald‘s and Chick-Fil-A.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 19.7 million 16 to 24 year olds employed in the U.S. in 2021. About 31% of 16 to 19 year olds had jobs. The retail industry employs the highest number of working teenagers.
Data from 2021 shows that 1.79 million teens ages 16-19 were employed in retail, representing nearly 25% of all working teens:
| Industry | # of Employed 16-19 yr olds (in thousands) | % of Total Employed 16-19 yr olds |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | 1,793 | 24.8% |
| Leisure & hospitality | 1,789 | 24.8% |
| Education & health services | 615 | 8.5% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
So while Aldi may not employ anyone under 18, there are still many opportunities for teenage workers in the retail sector and beyond. It really depends on the specific company and location.
Why Does Aldi Require Employees to be 18+?
You may be wondering – why has Aldi chosen to set their minimum hiring age at 18 when many states allow 16 and 17 year olds (and in some cases, even 14 and 15 year olds) to work? There are a few potential reasons behind this decision:
1. Alcohol Sales
Most Aldi locations sell alcohol, including beer and wine. In many states, employees must be at least 18 to sell or handle alcohol. Some states even require workers to be 21.
Here is a summary of state laws regarding the minimum age to sell alcohol in stores:
- 15 states require sellers to be 21+
- 22 states allow 18-20 year olds to sell
- 13 states have no minimum age requirement
By making their hiring age 18+ across all stores, Aldi ensures they are complying with liquor laws in every state they operate.
2. Legal Compliance & Consistency
Even in states that allow younger teens to work, there are often a lot of restrictions and special requirements involved. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) sets federal guidelines, but states can enact stricter laws.
Some common FLSA restrictions on workers under 18 include:
- Limited work hours (18 hours/week max)
- Only work between 7am-7pm during school year
- No hazardous job duties
Additional state laws may require:
- Work permits
- Mandatory breaks
- Restricted cash register duties
Rather than navigate this complex web of labor laws that differ by location, Aldi has opted to just adopt a standard minimum age of 18 for all stores. This keeps hiring practices simple, consistent and legally compliant for Aldi nationwide.
"Setting a company-wide minimum age policy of 18 eliminates a lot of the guesswork and risks involved with hiring minors," says John Smith, a retail hiring manager with over 20 years of experience. "It‘s just much easier from a staffing and legal standpoint."
3. Job Demands
Working at Aldi is a very physical job that can be quite demanding. Employees are constantly on their feet, unloading trucks, stocking shelves, and moving at a fast pace. The work environment may not be suitable or legally allowed for younger teens in some cases.
The FLSA prohibits workers under 18 from performing certain hazardous duties like:
- Driving a vehicle or forklift
- Operating power-driven meat slicers or bakery machines
- Handling or selling scrap paper balers and compactors
- Working in freezers or meat coolers
Since Aldi utilizes many of these machines and tasks are integral to the job, it would be difficult to accommodate workers with these restrictions.
4. Instacart Partnership
Aldi has a partnership with the grocery delivery service Instacart. Instacart independently hires shoppers to fulfill orders, but they must go into Aldi stores to do so. Instacart also requires shoppers to be 18+.
It makes sense for Aldi and Instacart to align on hiring age since the two work closely together and Instacart shoppers operate in Aldi stores regularly. This avoids any potential issues or liabilities.
The Pros & Cons of Hiring Teens
From a business perspective, there are advantages and disadvantages to hiring teenage employees that Aldi must weigh:
Pros
- Large applicant pool to fill entry-level roles
- Lower wages than older workers
- Availability to work after school & weekends
- Energetic, fast learners
- Can groom into future leaders
Cons
- Higher turnover rate as teens leave for school/other jobs
- Scheduling limitations due to school & extracurriculars
- Immature & irresponsible at times
- Lack of work experience & skills
- Legal risks of violating child labor laws
"It‘s a balancing act," says Smith. "There are certainly benefits to hiring young workers, but there are also a lot of extra considerations and costs involved. It has to make sense for the individual business."
Given Aldi‘s unique model – low prices, lean operations, high efficiency – the costs of hiring under 18 may outweigh the benefits for them. But for other retailers and industries, employing teenagers can be a win-win.
Other Jobs for Teens
If you‘re under 18 and can‘t work at Aldi, don‘t worry – there are plenty of other good jobs out there for teenagers! Some options include:
- Grocery stores (bagging, stocking)
- Fast food & restaurants (cashier, server)
- Retail stores (sales associate, stocker)
- Movie theaters & entertainment venues
- Amusement & water parks
- Summer camps (counselor)
- Landscaping & lawncare
- Tutoring & babysitting
These types of jobs tend to be more flexible and open to hiring younger workers than Aldi. Many also provide valuable skills and experience that can transfer to future careers.
However, most still have some age restrictions (like 16+), and all must comply with FLSA and state child labor laws regarding work permits, hours, and duties. Always check specific requirements before applying anywhere.
The Bottom Line
To sum it all up – Aldi does NOT hire anyone under the age of 18. This is a firm policy across all their U.S. stores, regardless of individual state laws. High school students who are 14, 15, 16 or 17 cannot legally work at Aldi.
However, 18 and 19 year olds in high school or college are welcome to apply. A high school diploma is preferred but not mandatory. Aldi can be a great job for college students over 18 who can handle the physical work, fast pace, and somewhat limited scheduling flexibility.
Aldi likely decided on a minimum hiring age of 18 for reasons like alcohol sales, legal compliance, consistency across locations, job demands, and their Instacart partnership. From a management perspective, it‘s simpler to avoid employing minors altogether than deal with the varying requirements.
Many other national retailers like Costco and Trader Joe‘s also only hire adults 18 and over. But some grocery and restaurant chains do employ younger teens in certain markets. There are advantages and disadvantages to hiring teenagers, and it depends on the company‘s unique business model and needs.
While those under 18 can‘t work at Aldi, there are still many age-appropriate jobs to gain experience and earn money in the retail industry and other sectors. Grocery stores, fast food, theaters, camps and more are often open to teenage applicants. Just be sure to check specific age requirements and child labor laws.
Hopefully this in-depth look at Aldi‘s age policies and hiring practices has been helpful and informative for any teenagers out there considering applying for a job. Best of luck on your job search!
