The Purpose of a Permit to Work

Minors may work if they have a permit to do so.

For a minor to work, they must first obtain a permit. Minors must meet specific requirements to qualify for a work permit. Even after acquiring a permit to work, a minor may have it revoked if she does not continue to comply with the requirements asked of her. Having a permit to work does not mean that a minor can work any job she wishes.

Function

A work permit allows minors who are enrolled in school to work. Employers, in order to comply with state and federal labor laws, must require a minor to present a legal work permit before starting a job. One work permit does not cover all jobs obtained by a minor. For example, if a minor has a work permit to work one job, he will need to get another if he chooses to work a second job. Work permits verify the minor's age, date of birth and school enrollment.

Getting Started

Parents must sign off for their children to work.

For a minor to obtain a work permit, he must first complete a series of steps. The first step is to apply for work eligibility at a work experience office, which is often located on school grounds. If a minor meets the work permit requirements, he will be issued a work permit form. Information required on the form includes the minor's name, birth date and Social Security number. The employer must fill out other sections on the form, such as job description, wages and hours. A parental signature is also required. It takes three to five days on average for the paper work to be officially filed, and the work permit to be issued.

Requirements

Poor grades could prevent a minor from working.

For a student to qualify for a permit to work, she must maintain a G.P.A. of 2.0 or higher, and cannot receive an F in any class. Attendance records and discipline records must also meet state standards. For example, if a student misses too many classes or gets into trouble at school, she may not be able to apply for a work permit. With a legal permit to work, a student may work up to 24 hours a week, or 36 hours if she qualifies as a work experience student. Students must enroll in and pass a work experience class to work 36 hours a week.

Entertainment

Work permits are required of minors who wish to work in the entertainment industry.

Minors who wish to work in the entertainment industry, including the music, film, TV or advertising fields, must also have an active permit to work. In California, the state office known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement issues such permits. Employers must also have permits to employ minors within the entertainment industry. There are no fees for minors to obtain an entertainment work permit. Permits are still required even if the entertainment job itself is noncommercial in nature.

Limitations

Minors are not allowed to work in just any environment they choose.

A permit to work does not mean that a minor can work any job he wishes. For example, minors may not work in environments that are deemed hazardous or dangerous. These jobs include, but are not limited to, working in a coal mine or any area in which explosives may be used. Minors are also prohibited from using such devices as forklifts, power-driven shearing machines or power-driven meat-slicing machines. Any work area that might be exposed to radiation is also off limits to minors.

References

• FUSD: Work Permits
• DWD: Work Permit
• DIR: Information on minors and employment

Resources

• Continue to Learn: Child Labor in U.S. History