Working the Smart Shift: Helping Parents Help their Teens Avoid Dangerous Jobs
Youth employment can be a positive experience for young people. Too often, however, it turns into a nightmare of excessive work and declining grades, exploitation, and injury. Sometimes, a youth's first job tragically becomes his last.
The National Consumers League (NCL) works with teens and their parents to know the laws that protect youth workers and to set appropriate parameters of work. Working the Smart Shift helps parents to help their teen toward a rewarding and safe work experience.
SET LIMITS: You and your teen will determine what is appropriate employment. The League offers these guidelines for hours, late night hours, and supervision:
Hours:
Under 14
- no work -- concentrate on school, family, and other activities.
14- and 15-year-olds
- summer employment: no more than 6 hours per day; 30
hours per week.
- employment during the school year: no more than 3 hours per day; 15 hours per week.
16- and 17-year-olds
- summer employment: no more than 8 hours per day; 40
hours per week.
- employment during the school year: no more than 4 hours per day; 20 hours per week.
Late Night Hours
Federal law and many state laws restrict late night hours for minors under age 16 to no work before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. (except 9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day). The League supports these restrictions.
Federal law and many state laws do not restrict late night hours for minors 16 years and older. The League recommends that minors 16 years and older not work before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
Unsupervised Work
Every year, teens are seriously injured on the job or are victims of criminal assault. The NCL strongly recommends to parents that they not allow their teen to work alone or without adult supervision.
Be involved! Talk to your teen, teachers, and employers; Monitor worksite
Talk with Your Teenager
Ask frequently about his/her job. In particular, focus on changes in duties, new equipment, supervision, as well as problems encountered at work.
Talk with Teachers
Ask teachers to notify you if they see a decline in grades, attendance, or attention. You don't want to wait until a progress report or a grade card before you know there is a problem.
Talk with Employers
Meet your child's employer. Arrange a tour of where your child works. Ask about duties, the equipment he/she will operate, and safety training. Also, tell the manager the hour limits you have set with your teenager.
Ask the manager whether your child's employer has been cited for child labor violations in the past year. If an employer is negligent about child labor laws, it means the employer is negligent in protecting your child on the job.
Monitor Employment Site
Visit your child's place of employment periodically. Frequent visits will give you the chance to see changes in job duties, new equipment, and supervision. Notice not only the duties of your teenager, but the duties of other young workers. Often, one teenager will be asked to substitute in another worker's job.
Know the Laws
Make sure you and your child know the regulations that protect young workers. Contact your state department of labor for information or to report suspected violations.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Youth Rules provides information on the federal child labor laws.
OSHA's Teen Worker Web site provides safety and health information.
Warning Signs
Watch out if your teenager:
- Is always tired and complains of not getting enough rest.
- Loses interest in school, academics, and extracurricular activities, or has a drop in grades and performance.
- No longer has time for family and friends.
- Is injured on the job or you hear of other employees being injured in your teenager's workplace.
- Has no adult supervision at work.
- Works for a business which has been recently cited for, or has a history of, child labor violations.
- Works late night hours.
- Displays a change in attitude toward job (is reluctant
to go to workplace, fearful, anxious, or stressed).
Hazardous Work
Child labor laws govern more than just hours of employment. They also restrict teens from working in hazardous occupations or operating dangerous machinery. Violations of the law and on-the-job injuries among minors are on the upswing. Health officials estimate that nearly 230,000 young workers are injured in the workplace every year.
That averages out to one teen injured on the job every 30 seconds.
Workers under 18 cannot drive as an occupation or operate power-driven slicers or paper balers (large compactors). Check with your state labor department for a list of other prohibited occupations for minors.
When a minor's work hours or work conditions do not comply with child labor laws, it is illegal employment. Each year, thousands of minors are found to be illegally employed.
For state-specific information on youth employment, contact your state department of labor.
Alabama (334) 242-3460
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