With summer upon us, it’s time to freshen up on child labor laws

School is winding down, summer is upon us. The time has come for those rites of passage that many teenagers go through to make extra money, get them out of the house, or get a head start on a possible career: the summer job.

Mowing lawns, being a life-guard, working as a camp counselor, flipping burgers — you name it, our sons and daughters take on a variety of jobs during the summer months. But parents and teenagers should be aware of some of the restrictions and requirements.

The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry goes on a campaign each summer to remind employers about the do’s and don’ts of hiring teens. The regional, door-to-door blitz kicks off June 22.

The DOLI is the state agency that monitors child labor and enforces child labor laws in the commonwealth of Virginia.

The commonwealth’s child labor laws restrict the employment of child and teen workers; the laws are there to “prevent the abuse of child workers in order to protect the educational opportunities of youth and prohibit their employment in jobs that are detrimental to their health and safety,” according to the DOLI.

Virginia’s child labor laws restrict the hours of work for youth under 16 and list hazardous occupations too dangerous for young workers to perform. And there are differences in the restrictions for those under 16.

At age 12, for example, teens can deliver newspapers, referee sporting events for youth organizations and work on farms, in gardens or in orchards, with parental consent.

The law requires those 14 to 15 to have a work permit, and they cannot work past 9 p.m. If a 14- to 15-year-old teen works five hours continuously, they are entitled to a 30-minute break. Teens in the 14-to-15 age range do not need a permit for jobs such as working around their home with parents, working on a family-owned farm or orchard, occasional yard work for others, or volunteer work.

For older teenagers, age 16 to 17, there are no restrictions on their hours of work. They may not work, however, in certain places, such as warehouses and funeral homes.

Youth workers have some areas where there are fewer restrictions. According to the DOLI, youth of any age can work on a family-owned agriculture business, a non-agricultural business (other than manufacturing or around hazardous materials), serve as a page in the General Assembly or work for a public employer.

Theatrical work, such as acting in a professional stage production, is also unrestricted, but a special permit must be obtained from the DOLI.

When the Child Labor Law Enforcement Team visits the more than 400 employers in a few weeks, the intent is to educate and make clear the specifics of hiring a youth. There are strict penalties for employers who violate Virginia’s child labor laws. The DOLI can enforce a penalty of up to $15,000 per violation.

The DOLI recommends that parents go and meet with their children’s potential employer, to make sure there is a comfort level and so the parent can ask direct questions.

For additional information, the state labor department has a detailed publication available to anyone interested. “The Guide for the Employment of Teenagers” can be found by going to the information center at the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry Web site: http://www.doli.virginia.gov/laborlaw/pdfs/
guideforteens_web.pdf

- A modest proposal: After this year of transition, and as two local high schools prepare for 2009 commencement ceremonies, we all would do well to reflect on the fact that — friendly rivalries aside — we are one community. Having two high schools should enhance our county, not divide it. Both schools have much to celebrate, not in the least are the hundreds of young adults who will pick up diplomas this Friday night or Saturday morning.

Walker’s column appears each Wednesday on the editorial page.