Taking on the responsibility of a job is a big step. Earning money is exciting for youth and they may forget schoolwork. As a parent, you will need to help them balance school, work, and a job. To help a youth get work experience or earn some money before they are ready to take on the responsibility of a job, encourage them to baby-sit, do yard work or odd jobs, or volunteer. (See VOLUNTEERING section) Remember that any work they do, paying or non-paying; can help build a work record that will help them get future jobs.

 

Getting Ready

Before a youth applies for a job, have him/her make a list of work experience, volunteer activities, odd jobs, and of adults who can give them recommendations. S/he will need a Social Security Card and a photo I.D. To get a Social Security Card, they can call (315) 789-0809 or

1 (800) 772-1213. A driver’s license, or a picture school I.D. will be accepted as a photo I.D. If s/he doesn't have either of these, go to the nearest Motor Vehicle Office to get a non-driver picture I.D.

If a youth is under age 18, s/he will need to get working papers/work permit. S/he can get the forms at their local school. A physical will be required. The youth should check with the school to see if the school will do this or if s/he has to go to a private doctor.

Working papers are divided into two age groups (14-15 and 16-17):

 

• 14-15 year olds - Your working papers are blue. If you are 14 and 15 years old, you are issued these working papers because you are not allowed to work in a factory.

 

• 16-17 year olds (in school) - Your working papers are green. The difference between 14-15 year old working papers and 16-17 year old working papers is that you are allowed to work in a factory. You cannot work around certain machines, do construction work, and help on motor vehicle, clean, oil, wipe, or adjust belts on machinery.

 

• 16-17 year olds (out of school) - Your working papers are peach. If you are 16 to 17 years old and are not in school or are leaving school for full time employment, you will need these working papers. You are allowed to work in a factory, cannot work around certain machines, do construction work, and help on a motor vehicle, or clean, oil, wipe, or adjust belts on machinery.

 

Wages and Hours

 

Minimum wage is $9.70 per hour (visit www.labor.state.ny.us for more information). Some employers pay higher than minimum wage or may pay a shift differential (for example: persons working at night may get more per hour than those that work days). In some jobs like restaurants, employers can pay less than minimum wage. It is important that the youth ask about pay before taking the job. Youth are also limited as to the number of hours they can work based upon their age, day of the week, and school year vs. summer.

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The following chart tells what those limits are: