As the last days of school approach and the summer months draw nearer, many teenagers will be returning to the work force. New Jersey takes the safety and protection of its minors who work these summer jobs very seriously, and the New Jersey Department of Labor cracks down hard on child labor violators. Therefore, it is important for employers, teenagers, and parents/guardians to be familiar with New Jersey’s Child Labor Laws.
At the outset, summer employers must ensure that all minors under the age of 18 have an employment certificate, also known as "working papers," or a special permit (for agriculture, newspaper carrier, or theatrical employment). Minors need working papers for each employer, even if they are employed by family members or employed for school-sponsored education experiences, apprenticeships, and/or paid structured learning experiences. Further, these working papers must be properly completed. The employer must complete the employment information and sign the promise of employment. The minor’s parent/guardian must then sign the working papers, authorizing employment. The worker’s school district must then obtain a physical/medical exam of the student and have its designated school official review and issue the working papers, assuming the official is satisfied that the working conditions and hours will not interfere with the student’s education or damage the student’s health. The official then sends a copy of the working papers to the Division of Wage...
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