Washington is slowly rebounding from its labor shortage. The state has improved from 244,000 open jobs in March to 185,000 by June, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but whatever way you shake it, there are still a vast number of openings.
As school swings into action, many employers may consider teenagers a possible solution to filling empty positions.
But before hiring a legion of teenagers — or teens rushing to find a job — Washington has labor laws to protect workers under the age of 18. There is also an annual parent and school authorization form deadline of Sept. 30 approaching.
As an employer, teen worker or parent, here are five things you need to know about Washington’s minor labor laws.
Every workplace that employs at least one person under 18 must apply for a minor work permit. Applying for a minor work permit does not cost any money, but additional fees such as a business license application fee and registering your business as a trade name will cost a variable fee.
Some fields also allow children under the age of 14 to work, primarily agricultural or theatrical work, as youth sports referees, or casual labor jobs such as delivering newspapers or babysitting.
Employers hiring children under 14 will also need to obtain superior court approval, a minor work permit, and a parent or guardian authorization form.
In addition to a minor work permit, employers must have signed a parent or guardian...
MOCA admits its products were wrongly described as TGA-approved. More than 99 per cent of medicinal cannabis products are not TGA-approved. An online medicinal cannabis prescriber has admitted i...